Hyperconverged Storage Controller Active Standby Failover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage systems in hyperconverged architectures face performance issues due to network limitations, leading to compromised data access, even when network quality meets minimum standards, necessitating a solution that enhances storage device performance.
Innovation Solution
A hyperconverged architecture with two nodes, each equipped with a virtualization layer and a CPU, sharing a physical data storage array, where one node operates in active mode and the other in standby, facilitating internal communication and ensuring robust data access through active/standby virtual storage controllers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If network storage is used to provide data access to host systems, then storage capacity and accessibility are improved, but data access performance deteriorates due to network limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments storage access into two paths: network storage for capacity and local storage for performance. By dividing the storage function between network-attached storage (for capacity) and locally-attached storage devices (for speed), the patent resolves the contradiction between storage capacity and data access speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary storage layer consisting of locally-attached storage devices that cache frequently accessed data. This intermediary layer sits between the host system and network storage, mediating data access to improve performance while maintaining network storage capacity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If network storage is accessed over a network, then storage accessibility is improved, but data access reliability deteriorates due to network performance variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments data access into critical data stored locally (for reliability) and non-critical data stored on network storage (for accessibility). This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliable access to frequently used data while preserving the ability to access stored data through the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by pre-loading frequently accessed data into local storage caches. This prepares data in advance before network issues occur, cushioning against network failures or performance degradation and ensuring reliable data access.
3Device complexity
If a single storage controller handles all IO requests, then device complexity is reduced, but system reliability deteriorates due to single point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments storage controller functionality into multiple independent controllers, each managing local storage devices. This segmentation eliminates the single point of failure while keeping each individual controller relatively simple, thus improving reliability without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each storage controller is designed with local quality by being physically proximate to and directly managing local storage devices. This local arrangement simplifies each controller's responsibilities and improves reliability through distributed architecture, where each controller independently manages its local storage without requiring complex coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
A hyperconverged data storage system including a storage array. A first node includes hardware and a virtualization layer supporting guest virtual machines running first applications. An active first virtual storage controller executing in the first virtualization layer is configured for handling IOs accessing the storage array. A second node includes hardware and a second virtualization layer supporting guest virtual machines running second applications. A second virtual storage controller executing in the second virtualization layer operates in a standby mode to the first virtual storage controller. An internal communication network facilitates communications between the first node and the second node. The first virtual storage controller when operating in active mode is configured for handling IOs originating from the first applications and the second applications.