Dynamic Storage Controller Selection via Protocol Redirect

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Solution Overview

Problem

Legacy techniques for implementing iSCSI and other communication protocols in distributed storage systems are not responsive to dynamic characteristics, leading to degraded performance and service failures due to changes in load conditions, quality of service, and user preferences, requiring manual intervention for storage rebalancing.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of dynamic distributed storage controller selection using a protocol redirect, which continuously monitors system conditions to detect events and automatically select virtualized controllers, reducing the demand for memory, processing power, and network bandwidth, and enabling rapid reconfiguration of data storage devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If legacy techniques for implementing iSCSI and other communication protocols are used in distributed storage systems, then basic storage access functionality is provided, but the system is not responsive to dynamic characteristics leading to degraded performance and service failures due to changes in load conditions, quality of service, and user preferences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponsiveness to dynamic characteristicsVSAvoidservice availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic controller selection where the storage system automatically adapts its controller assignments based on real-time monitoring of load conditions, quality of service metrics, and user preferences. The system transitions from static legacy techniques to dynamic adaptation, allowing controllers to be selectively assigned or reassigned based on current system state, thereby maintaining reliability while improving adaptability to changing conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors load conditions, quality of service, and user preferences, using this feedback information to dynamically adjust controller selection. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to respond to dynamic characteristics and maintain service availability by redistributing workloads away from overloaded or underperforming controllers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If manual intervention is used for storage rebalancing, then storage system configuration can be adjusted, but administrative overhead increases and service disruptions occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage rebalancing efficiencyVSAvoidadministrative intervention time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automated storage rebalancing where the system performs its own optimization without requiring administrative intervention. The dynamic controller selection mechanism automatically monitors system conditions and redistributes storage workloads between controllers based on real-time metrics, enabling the system to self-manage its performance optimization and eliminate the need for manual rebalancing operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system proactively monitors load conditions and quality of service metrics to detect when rebalancing is needed, performing controller selection and workload redistribution before performance degradation becomes severe. This preliminary action approach prevents service failures by anticipating and addressing imbalance conditions before they impact productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If dynamic distributed storage controller selection is implemented, then storage access performance is enhanced and rapid reconfiguration is enabled, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage access performanceVSAvoidcontroller selection mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a protocol redirect mechanism as an intermediary layer that handles the complexity of dynamic controller selection. Instead of requiring complex direct communication between all system components, the protocol redirect acts as a mediator that receives storage access requests, determines the optimal controller based on monitored conditions, and redirects requests accordingly. This intermediary approach enables rapid reconfiguration and enhanced access performance while managing system complexity through a standardized protocol layer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11169706B2Rebalancing storage I/O workloads by storage controller selection and redirection

Publication Date: 2021.11.09 NUTANIX INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for rebalancing storage-oriented workloads across resources of a distributed data storage facility. Communications are initiated between a client computing device and a plurality of storage target devices of a distributed storage system. The distributed storage system comprises one or more computing nodes that can host virtualized controllers. A client computing device interfaced with the distributed storage system uses an IP address to access an initial virtualized controller. Upon detecting a change event, conditions of the computing environment are analyzed to determine rebalancing options. Analysis of the rebalancing options results in identification of an alternative virtualized controller. A redirect message that identifies the alternative virtualized controller is sent to the computing device. The client computing device connects to the alternative virtualized controller. Messages are sent between the client computing device and the alternative virtualized controller to access one of the storage target devices for performing storage I/O protocols.