MPIO Driver Automatic Path Discovery via Storage Prompts
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Solution Overview
Problem
In information processing systems, manual interventions are often required for host devices to discover changes in storage system paths due to zoning and masking changes, which can lead to sub-optimal performance and increased administrative burden, as storage administrators lack access to host credentials.
Innovation Solution
A multi-path layer with an MPIO driver is configured to automatically discover new paths in host devices based on per-host path change information received from a shared storage array, eliminating the need for manual intervention after the initial path discovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual intervention is used for path discovery after storage system reconfiguration, then path changes can be detected, but administrative burden increases and system responsiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The host device automatically performs path discovery scans and detects path changes without requiring storage administrator intervention. The MPIO driver monitors path status and autonomously initiates discovery processes, eliminating the need for manual administrative actions while maintaining reliable path change detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the MPIO driver continuously monitors path status and automatically triggers path discovery scans when path changes are detected. This closed-loop feedback system ensures reliable detection of path changes while eliminating manual intervention by automatically responding to path status changes.
2Reliability
If manual intervention is required for path discovery, then path changes can be detected, but system responsiveness worsens due to delayed detection
Solution Approach 1:
The MPIO driver is pre-configured with path discovery capabilities and automatically initiates discovery scans when path changes are detected, eliminating delays associated with manual intervention. The system prepares the path discovery mechanism in advance and triggers it automatically, ensuring both reliable detection and rapid response to path changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous monitoring and automatic feedback-triggered discovery mechanism ensures that path changes are detected immediately and processed without delay. The system responds in real-time to path status changes, maintaining both detection reliability and fast response speed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If storage administrators perform zoning and masking changes, then storage system reconfiguration is achieved, but host device path awareness deteriorates without manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The MPIO driver implements automatic feedback-driven path discovery that triggers when storage system reconfigurations occur. The driver monitors for path changes and automatically initiates discovery scans, ensuring that host devices remain aware of path changes even as storage administrators perform zoning and masking reconfigurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The host device autonomously detects and adapts to storage system reconfigurations without requiring administrator intervention. The MPIO driver self-manages path discovery and updates path awareness automatically, maintaining reliable path detection despite ongoing storage system changes.
4Reliability
If multiple manual interventions are performed over time, then path changes can be tracked, but productivity decreases due to repetitive administrative tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The MPIO driver autonomously performs path change tracking and discovery without requiring repeated manual administrative interventions. The system self-manages the entire path discovery process, eliminating repetitive administrative tasks while maintaining reliable path change tracking, thereby significantly improving administrative productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous automated path monitoring and discovery, eliminating the need for discrete manual interventions over time. The MPIO driver continuously tracks path changes and automatically performs discovery scans, maintaining reliable path awareness while eliminating repetitive administrative work and improving overall productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus in one embodiment comprises a host device configured to communicate over a network with a storage system comprising a plurality of storage devices. The host device comprises a set of input-output queues and a multi-path input-output driver configured to select input-output operations from the set of input-output queues for delivery to the storage system over the network. The multi-path input-output driver is further configured to receive per-host path change information from the storage system indicating a change in at least one path from the host device to the storage system, to automatically initiate a path discovery scan in the host device based at least in part on the received per-host path change information, and to add one or more new paths identified in the path discovery scan to a set of active paths for the host device. The per-host path change information received from the storage system may comprise a value of a path change counter maintained by the storage system for the host device.