Dynamic Virtual Volume Updates in Storage Switches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data center management configurations are costly and inefficient, requiring dedicated storage systems and additional IT staff, and face challenges in resource sharing and maintenance across multiple departments, leading to complexities in scaling and securing storage services.
Innovation Solution
A storage virtualization environment using a single storage switch that dynamically updates virtual volumes, allowing resource sharing while maintaining security, through a two-tier virtualization architecture with first and second tier objects that manage physical and logical configurations, enabling scalable, secure, and fault-tolerant access to storage resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated storage systems are provided for each customer, then security and data protection are improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is segmented into physical storage devices and virtual volumes through a virtualization layer. Physical storage is divided into multiple virtual volumes that can be dynamically allocated to different customers or departments, allowing security through logical separation while reducing the need for dedicated physical systems for each user.
Solution Approach 2:
A virtualization layer acts as an intermediary between physical storage devices and customer access points. This intermediary layer manages the mapping between physical storage and virtual volumes, providing security through controlled access while simplifying the overall system architecture compared to dedicated storage configurations.
2Reliability
If dedicated storage systems are provided for each department, then data security is improved, but maintenance requirements and IT staff needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The virtualized storage system provides universal access to multiple departments through a single unified platform. Different departments can access storage resources through various virtual volumes while using the same underlying infrastructure, reducing the need for separate maintenance teams for each department's storage system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service capabilities where customers can dynamically allocate and manage their own virtual volumes through automated provisioning mechanisms, reducing the need for manual IT staff intervention in storage maintenance and configuration tasks.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional storage configurations are used, then initial setup is straightforward, but scalability and resource sharing capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system transitions from static dedicated configurations to dynamic virtual volume assignments. Virtual volumes can be dynamically created, modified, and reassigned to different customers or departments based on changing needs, enabling flexible resource sharing while maintaining ease of initial configuration through automated provisioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage virtualization environment is provided that includes a system for dynamically updating a virtual volume in associated with a host system. The system may include a set of storage devices, each of which includes physical block addresses that store data associated with the virtual volume and a network switch system connecting the host system and the set of storage devices. In one embodiment, the network switch system includes a set of storage processors each maintaining virtual volume objects including at least one of (i) first tier objects reflecting a relationship between the physical block addresses and one or more logical partitions of virtual volume data, and (ii) second tier objects reflecting a logical configuration of the virtual volume. Further, the network switch system uses the virtual volume objects to dynamically update the virtual volume during runtime of the network switch system.