Hybrid Storage Booting Servers from OS Snapshots

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Solution Overview

Problem

Data management systems with multiple servers accessing a shared drive face performance issues due to competition for access, particularly when using disk seek algorithms that are less efficient at outer disk tracks, limiting improvements from read look ahead buffers and other optimizations.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid storage system with a primary high-performance storage drive for unmodified operating system images and a secondary economical storage drive for modified snapshots, utilizing a lookup table to direct servers to read from the appropriate drive based on image modifications, and incorporating a look ahead module to anticipate and optimize access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple servers access a shared drive simultaneously, then data management functionality is enabled, but system performance deteriorates due to access competition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-server data management capabilityVSAvoidsystem performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the storage system into a primary storage drive and a secondary storage drive. The primary drive stores the base operating system installation image and is accessible by all servers. The secondary drive stores snapshots with modifications and is accessible only when modifications are needed. This segmentation reduces competition for the primary drive while maintaining multi-server functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a lookup table as an intermediary mechanism that directs servers to the appropriate storage drive based on whether they need unmodified or modified portions of the operating system image. This intermediary optimizes access patterns and reduces unnecessary competition for storage resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If disk seek algorithms are used for accessing storage, then data retrieval is enabled, but performance worsens at outer disk tracks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata retrieval capabilityVSAvoiddisk access speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by placing frequently accessed, unmodified portions of the operating system image on the primary storage drive which can be accessed faster. Modified portions that are accessed less frequently are placed on the secondary storage drive. This creates different access characteristics for different parts of the storage system, optimizing overall performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If read look ahead buffers are implemented, then system performance improves, but improvements are limited by continued disk access competition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem performanceVSAvoidaccess latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting storage into primary and secondary drives with distinct access patterns, the patent reduces the contention that limits read look ahead buffer effectiveness. Servers accessing unmodified portions from the primary drive experience less competition, allowing read look ahead buffers to be more effective at predicting and pre-loading data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Stability of the object's composition

If all servers read from the same storage location, then data consistency is maintained, but access latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata consistencyVSAvoidaccess latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the storage architecture into primary and secondary drives, allowing servers to read from different locations depending on their needs. Unmodified portions are read from the primary drive while modified portions are read from the secondary drive, reducing access latency while maintaining consistency through the lookup table mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lookup table acts as an intermediary that maintains data consistency by directing servers to the correct storage location. It ensures that servers receive consistent data by routing unmodified portion requests to the primary drive and modified portion requests to the secondary drive, while reducing access latency through optimized path selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9244693B2System and method for booting multiple servers from snapshots of an operating system installation image while reducing access to unmodified portions of the installation image and reducing latencies between server ports

Publication Date: 2016.01.26 AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE LTD

AI summary

The disclosure is directed to a system and method for booting a plurality of servers from at least one of a primary storage drive and a secondary storage drive. An operating system installation image is stored in a primary storage drive. Snapshots including modifications to the operating system installation image are stored in a plurality of partitions of a secondary storage device. A lookup table directs servers to read unmodified portions of the operating system installation image from the primary storage drive. The lookup table further directs servers to read modified portions of the operating system installation image from the secondary storage drive.