Global Memory Segmentation for RDR Failover Workloads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage systems face challenges in optimizing global memory segmentation to efficiently handle varying workload demands, particularly in remote data replication facilities, leading to suboptimal performance during failover or failback scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for dynamic global memory segmentation adjustment that segments storage array memory into mirrored and unmirrored policy regions, using IO pools with adjustable slot sizes, and employs a global memory management system to optimize memory allocation based on real-time workload statistics from both primary and backup storage arrays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If global memory segmentation is optimized based only on local host IO operations, then local performance is improved, but performance during failover/failback scenarios deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocal IO performanceVSAvoidfailover performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by collecting global memory usage statistics from both primary and backup storage arrays, using this information to dynamically adjust segmentation policies. The backup array receives statistics from the primary array and adjusts its segmentation accordingly, ensuring both arrays are optimized for their respective roles while maintaining failover capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the backup storage array's global memory segmentation based on statistics from the primary array before failover occurs. This ensures the backup array is already optimized to handle the primary array's workload patterns when failover is needed, eliminating performance degradation during transition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If global memory segmentation is fixed, then system stability is improved, but adaptability to varying workload demands deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory segmentation stabilityVSAvoidworkload adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies dynamics by making global memory segmentation adjustable and adaptable. The segmentation policy is no longer fixed but can be modified based on collected statistics and changing workload patterns. The system dynamically recalculates optimal segmentation ratios and IO pool sizes according to actual usage patterns while maintaining operational stability through controlled adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements parameter changes by modifying segmentation ratios and IO pool sizes based on collected statistics. The global memory segmentation parameters are adjusted according to observed workload patterns, allowing the system to adapt to varying demands while maintaining stability through incremental, data-driven changes rather than abrupt transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If separate segmentation policies are used on primary and backup arrays, then local optimization is improved, but overall system efficiency during replication deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocal array efficiencyVSAvoidreplication overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback by having the backup storage array collect and analyze statistics from the primary array's global memory usage. This feedback loop allows the backup array to configure its segmentation to match the primary array's patterns, optimizing replication efficiency while maintaining local optimization benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies copying by having the backup array replicate the primary array's global memory segmentation configuration based on collected statistics. The backup array copies the segmentation ratios and IO pool structures from the primary array, ensuring both arrays are optimized for their respective roles while maintaining compatibility for efficient replication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS12475030B2Global memory segmentation adjustment

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

Two storage arrays implement a Remote Data Replication (RDR) facility between a primary storage array and a backup storage array. The primary storage array collects global memory usage statistics by host processes on the primary array and global memory usage by the RDR process on the primary array. The backup storage array collects global memory usage statistics by host processes on the backup array and global memory usage by the RDR process on the backup array. The primary storage array transmits information about the global memory usage by the RDR process on the primary array to the backup array. The backup storage array transmits information about the global memory usage by the RDR process on the backup array to the primary array. Both arrays use global memory usage statistics by their respective local host process and the RDR process on both arrays, to locally set global memory segmentation policies.