Gateway Modules for Dispersed Data Storage Protocol Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dispersed data storage networks face challenges in providing secure and reliable data access while accommodating multiple access protocols, leading to complexity and inefficiency in managing connections and data distribution across various storage locations.

Innovation Solution

A system with a gateway program that maintains multiple gateway modules for different access protocols, allowing for seamless connection management between client computers and slice servers, enabling block and file access protocols, and transactional data handling to ensure data integrity and security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple access protocols are supported simultaneously, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoidgateway structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway is divided into multiple independent gateway modules, each handling a specific access protocol. This segmentation allows the system to support multiple protocols while keeping each module's complexity manageable and enabling independent maintenance of individual protocol handlers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway program is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple access protocols (iSCSI, Fibre Channel, FCP, NFS, CIFS/SMB, HTTP, FTP) through a unified architecture. This universal design allows the same gateway infrastructure to serve diverse client types without requiring separate systems for each protocol.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If data is dispersed across multiple locations, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata securityVSAvoidconnection management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway acts as an intermediary between clients and the dispersed storage locations (slice servers). It manages the complexity of connecting to multiple distributed locations by providing a unified access point, thereby maintaining ease of operation while achieving improved reliability through data dispersion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements connection tracking and state management that provides feedback about the status of connections to various slice servers. This feedback mechanism automates the management of dispersed connections, reducing the operational burden on users while maintaining reliable access across multiple locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If connection tracking is implemented, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection state managementVSAvoidconnection establishment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing and caching connection information to slice servers before actual data transfer begins. Connection state is tracked and prepared in advance, allowing rapid connection establishment when data transfer is initiated without the overhead of real-time negotiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8478865B2Systems, methods, and apparatus for matching a connection request with a network interface adapted for use with a dispersed data storage network

Publication Date: 2013.07.02 PURE STORAGE INC

AI summary

A gateway module translates access requests from client computers into commands for a plurality of slice servers storing data for a dispersed data storage network. The gateway program maintains a plurality of gateway modules, each providing a different access protocol to the dispersed data storage network, and each also maintaining one or more virtual storage vaults.