Management Computer Cross-Vendor Storage Server Pairing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In IaaS cloud computing systems, forming a high availability configuration that associates servers and storage devices from different vendors is challenging, leading to delayed deployment and increased waiting time due to restrictions on redundant configuration formation.

Innovation Solution

A management computer system that determines storage resources for redundant pairing and selects compatible server resources to pair with them, allowing efficient construction of redundant configurations between servers and storage devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the HA configuration is constructed by first forming server-side HA configuration and then storage-side HA configuration, then the deployment process follows a simple sequential approach, but the deployment time increases and the process is delayed when storage devices from different vendors cannot be paired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment process simplicityVSAvoiddeployment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining storage resource pairing feasibility before selecting server resources and forming the complete HA configuration. The management computer first determines whether storage resources can be paired in a redundant configuration, then selects server resources that can be connected to the determined storage resources, and finally pairs the server resources. This preliminary determination of storage pairing prevents deployment delays by identifying compatibility issues before committing to a configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If storage resources from different storage vendors are used, then system flexibility and vendor independence are improved, but the ability to form redundant configuration pairs is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevendor independenceVSAvoidredundant configuration capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The management computer performs preliminary determination of whether storage resources can be paired in a redundant configuration before proceeding with server resource selection. This allows the system to evaluate cross-vendor storage compatibility upfront, enabling flexible vendor selection while maintaining reliable redundant configurations through informed resource pairing decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The management computer acts as an intermediary that mediates between storage resources from different vendors and server resources. It determines compatibility and makes intelligent pairing decisions, enabling the system to overcome vendor-specific restrictions and form reliable redundant configurations across multiple vendors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If the HA configuration construction requires redone processing when storage pairing fails, then configuration accuracy is ensured, but the deployment efficiency decreases and user waiting time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoiddeployment efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining storage resource pairing feasibility before selecting server resources and finalizing the HA configuration. The management computer first determines whether storage resources can be paired in a redundant configuration, then selects server resources that can be connected to the determined storage resources. This preliminary determination prevents configuration errors and eliminates the need for redone processing, ensuring both configuration accuracy and deployment efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10592268B2Management computer and resource management method configured to combine server resources and storage resources and allocate the combined resources to virtual machines

Publication Date: 2020.03.17 HITACHI VANTARA LTD

AI summary

The management computer has a memory which stores management information and management programs, and a CPU which refers to the management information and executes the management programs; the management information includes storage management information for allowing determination as to whether the plurality of storage resources can be paired in a redundant configuration, and couplable configuration management information for determining whether the plurality of storage resources and the plurality of server resources can be connected to each other; and when the CPU deploys a virtual machine, the CPU first determines, by reference to the storage management information, storage resources to be paired in a redundant configuration, then selects, by reference to the couplable configuration management information, server resources each of which can be connected to a respective one of the storage resources that are to be paired in a redundant configuration, and pairs the selected server resources in the redundant configuration.