Local Management Console for Storage Device Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage systems in hyperscale computing and cloud services lack a local management console for efficient management and monitoring of data storage devices, particularly in datacenter environments where remote direct-attached storage (rDAS) models are used.
Innovation Solution
A local management console (LMC) is introduced, which connects to a baseboard management controller (BMC) of a chassis in a data storage rack, providing a display to show configuration, control, debugging, or status data of data storage devices. The LMC can perform operations such as configuration, control, debugging, or status acquisition on the data storage devices in response to user interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional storage server with x86-based CPU and operating system is used to provide local management interface, then configurability, usability, debug, and status of locally connected hardware devices can be provided, but the system complexity and cost increase due to requiring full CPU, operating system, and display interface infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the display and user interface functionality from the traditional x86-based storage server architecture. Instead of requiring a full CPU, operating system, and display interface, the invention separates the management interface into a standalone display device that communicates with the storage devices through the fabric network, eliminating the need for complex server infrastructure while maintaining local management capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary display device that acts as a mediator between the administrator and the storage devices. This display device receives and processes user interactions, then translates them into appropriate commands sent over the fabric network to the storage devices, providing a local interface without requiring a traditional server
2Ease of manufacture
If eSSD chassis without display port are used to remove costly CPU requirement, then cost is reduced and performance is improved, but the ability to provide local display interface for configuration, control, and status monitoring is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the fabric network interface universal by enabling it to carry both data storage traffic and management interface traffic. The same fabric network connection used for NVMe-oF storage protocols is also used to transmit display data and user interactions, allowing the eSSD chassis to provide local display functionality without adding dedicated display ports or CPUs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the eSSD chassis to provide its own local management interface through the existing fabric network infrastructure. The chassis uses its own network interface and processor to handle display communications, eliminating the need for external display ports or dedicated management hardware while maintaining self-sufficiency
3Quantity of substance
If remote direct-attached storage (rDAS) model with fabric network is used to connect hundreds and thousands of SSDs, then storage capacity and connectivity are improved, but the need for local management and monitoring becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a new dimension to fabric network communication by implementing display protocol translation. The display device translates user interactions into fabric network commands and translates storage device responses into displayable information, creating a new communication dimension that enables local management of remote storage devices over the fabric network
Data Source
AI summary
A local management console includes: a communication interface to connect to a baseboard management controller (BMC) of a chassis in a data storage rack; and a display that displays information associated with one or more data storage devices included in the chassis. The information includes at least one of configuration, control, debugging, or status data associated with at least one of the one or more storage devices. The local management console connects to the BMC through the communication interface, and responsive to receiving a first interaction associated with the display, performs at least one of a configuration, control, debugging, or status acquisition operation on at least one of the one or more data storage devices.