Global Aggregated Namespace for Distributed Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In distributed storage systems, managing data storage across multiple nodes owned by different entities can be complicated due to inconsistencies in data availability and visibility, leading to varying results depending on the query initiation point.
Innovation Solution
A computer system defines data storage objects for each node, replicates these objects across other nodes, and aggregates them to create a global, unified namespace, ensuring consistent visibility and management regardless of the query origin, both within and external to the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data storage objects are managed independently at each node in a distributed storage system, then each node can maintain its own data storage efficiently, but the system lacks a unified and consistent view of data storage across all nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges data storage objects from multiple distributed nodes into a single unified namespace. The system aggregates data storage objects from different nodes and creates a global view that allows consistent access and management across the entire distributed system, resolving the visibility inconsistency while maintaining storage efficiency at each node
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary namespace layer that sits between the distributed data storage nodes and the users/applications. This intermediary unified namespace translates local node-specific storage objects into a consistent global view, allowing nodes to maintain independent efficient storage while providing a unified interface to users
2Reliability
If data storage objects are replicated across multiple nodes for redundancy, then system reliability improves, but the complexity of managing and synchronizing these objects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates copies of data storage objects across multiple nodes and maintains them through a unified namespace. The system replicates storage objects for redundancy while managing the copies through a single unified interface, which simplifies the management complexity compared to handling each replica independently across distributed nodes
Solution Approach 2:
The unified namespace serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides data redundancy through replication, maintains consistency across nodes, simplifies management operations, and enables a consistent user view. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity while improving reliability
3Productivity
If queries are processed from different nodes in a distributed storage system, then system scalability improves, but query results may vary depending on the query origin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an equipotential unified namespace where all nodes have equal access and view of data storage objects. Regardless of which node receives a query, the unified namespace ensures that all nodes present the same consistent view of storage objects, eliminating location-dependent query results while maintaining the scalability of distributed architecture
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are directed to creating global, aggregated namespaces for storage management and to providing consistent namespaces in a distributed storage system. In one scenario, a computer system defines data storage objects for each data storage node. The data storage objects uniquely identify storage elements of the data storage nodes, where each data storage object includes various associated attributes. The computer system replicates the defined data storage objects and any associated attributes from a first data storage node to a second, different data storage node among the data storage nodes. As such, the defined data storage objects are visible from any node in the data storage nodes. The computer system also aggregates the defined data storage objects for each of the data storage nodes and creates a global, aggregated namespace that includes the aggregated data storage objects for each of the data storage nodes.