Modular SLO Subsystem for Network Storage Adaptability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional network storage systems with software-implemented Service Level Objective (SLO) engines are inflexible and require significant modifications or downtime to accommodate new degrees of freedom, such as data compression, which can disrupt operations in large-scale storage systems.

Innovation Solution

A modular SLO subsystem design that allows new degrees of freedom to be added without modifying the SLO engine or existing SLOs, featuring SLO modules that interface with the SLO engine independently, enabling uniform communication and plug-and-play functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional software-implemented SLO engine is used to control storage system operations, then the system can maintain SLO compliance for existing degrees of freedom, but the system becomes inflexible and requires significant modifications or downtime to accommodate new degrees of freedom such as data compression

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSLO complianceVSAvoidflexibility to add new degrees of freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The SLO subsystem is segmented into distinct modules: an SLO engine that handles core SLO compliance logic and separate SLO modules that each correspond to specific degrees of freedom (e.g., data replication, data placement, data compression). This segmentation allows new degrees of freedom to be added as independent modules without modifying the core SLO engine, thereby maintaining reliability while improving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the SLO engine is hard-coded with knowledge of specific degrees of freedom, then it can effectively control those operations, but it cannot determine how adjustments in new degrees of freedom affect SLO compliance or operations in other degrees of freedom

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness in controlling existing operationsVSAvoidcapability to handle new degrees of freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The SLO engine is designed with a universal interface that can work with any SLO module corresponding to any degree of freedom. The engine receives compliance measurements and control adjustments from multiple different SLO modules through a standardized interface, enabling it to effectively control operations across diverse degrees of freedom without being hard-coded for specific ones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the SLO engine is replaced or updated to add capability for new degrees of freedom, then it can handle more operations, but this involves inconvenience to users and potentially disruption of system operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to handle new degrees of freedomVSAvoiddowntime and user inconvenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The SLO subsystem is designed dynamically so that new SLO modules can be added, removed, or updated without taking the system offline. The modular architecture with standardized interfaces allows for hot-swapping of degree of freedom implementations, enabling the system to adapt to new requirements while maintaining continuous operation and avoiding user inconvenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If a modular design with independent SLO modules is implemented, then new degrees of freedom can be added without modifying the SLO engine, but the system requires a standardized interface mechanism for uniform communication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to add new degrees of freedom without modificationVSAvoidinterface standardization requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The SLO modules and SLO engine communicate through a homogeneous, standardized interface that defines uniform methods for measuring compliance and making control adjustments. This standardized interface layer abstracts the diversity of different degrees of freedom, allowing modular addition of new functionality while managing system complexity through consistent communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

Data Source

PatentUS9509563B2Modular service level objective (SLO) subsystem for a network storage system

Publication Date: 2016.11.29 NETAPP INC

AI summary

A service level objective (SLO) subsystem that includes an SLO engine in a network storage system that allows new degrees of freedom to be added to the SLO subsystem, without requiring any modification of an associated SLO engine or the system's existing SLOs, and without requiring the SLO engine to have any a priori knowledge of the new degrees of freedom. In certain embodiments, the system has a modular design which includes the SLO engine and one or more SLO modules that interface with the SLO engine. Each SLO module corresponds to a different degree of freedom. Each SLO module evaluates SLO compliance and determines what specific action(s) within its corresponding degree of freedom should be taken to comply with an SLO.