Expert System Storage Provisioning Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional approaches to automating storage resource provisioning are limited by static scripting languages that require software engineering skills and restrict the reuse and extension of knowledge, making it difficult to incorporate different logic for provisioning decision-making across various targets.

Innovation Solution

An expert system is used to automate storage resource provisioning, where user inputs are converted into facts and logical rules, allowing for easy adjustments and reuse of knowledge without requiring professional software engineering skills, using a knowledge base and inference engine to derive provisioning decisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If conventional scripting languages are used for storage provisioning automation, then provisioning can be automated, but the system requires software engineering skills and rigid constructs for modifications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage provisioning automationVSAvoidease of modifying provisioning logic

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional scripting languages with a rule-based expert system that uses natural language logic statements. Instead of requiring programming knowledge to modify provisioning logic, users can edit rules in a user-friendly interface, substituting the mechanical complexity of scripting with simpler logical rule manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows dynamic adjustment of provisioning parameters through rule modifications without changing the underlying system architecture. Users can modify logical rules to adapt provisioning behavior to different scenarios while the system maintains its automated execution framework, enabling parameter changes without reprogramming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If scripting languages with function-calling mechanisms are used, then provisioning logic can be expressed, but knowledge reuse is limited and extension is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveknowledge reuse capabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of incorporating different provisioning logic

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The expert system framework provides universal knowledge reuse through a centralized rule base that can be applied across different storage provisioning scenarios. Logical rules defined once can be reused for multiple purposes, and the system can accommodate different provisioning targets (applications, SLAs, policies) through a unified rule-based approach rather than requiring separate scripting mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If static scripting languages are used, then provisioning automation is achieved, but adjustments to best practices require software engineering skills

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprovisioning decision-making efficiencyVSAvoidease of implementing changes to provisioning logic

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service modification of provisioning logic where domain experts can adjust rules without requiring software engineering skills. The rule-based interface allows users to modify provisioning best practices directly in the system, making the system adaptable to changing requirements without external software development intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9378460B2Method and apparatus for provisioning storage resources using an expert system that displays the provisioning to a user

Publication Date: 2016.06.28 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

An improved technique uses an expert system to provide automated provisioning of resources for a storage system. Along these lines, a user submits values of a set of provisioning targets parameters in a administrative interface screen to a storage processing device. The expert system uses these values to form a set of facts within an expert system stored on the storage processing device that includes a knowledge base having a set of logical rules and an inference engine. The storage processing device then inputs these facts and logical rules into the inference engine which is configured to fire logical rules having preconditions that match the facts. The actions of these logical rules then provide content for the provisioning of the storage resources, which are displayed to the user or used for automatic storage provisioning operations.