Network Address Mapping for Cross-Network Storage Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distributed storage systems face challenges in network configuration for host-to-storage access, particularly when using advanced storage access protocols like NVMe-oF or NVMe/TCP, across different networks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of network address mapping techniques that enable communication between hosts and storage nodes in different networks by determining a network address mapping data structure and modifying communications based on these mappings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hosts and storage nodes operate in different networks with advanced storage access protocols like NVMe-oF or NVMe/TCP, then storage access capability and protocol performance are improved, but network configuration complexity increases and communication reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network address mapping mechanism that acts as an intermediary between hosts in a first network and storage nodes in a second network. The mapping data structure translates network addresses across the two networks, enabling communication without requiring complex manual network configuration. This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple network operations while enabling advanced storage access protocols across network boundaries.
2Adaptability or versatility
If network address mapping is implemented to enable communication between different networks, then communication capability is improved, but system complexity and address management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes network address mapping relationships in advance through a discovery process before actual storage operations occur. The mapping data structure is pre-populated with address translations between the first and second networks, so that when hosts need to access storage nodes, the address translation is already available. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time address management during storage operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automated network address discovery and mapping establishment without requiring manual configuration. The discovery process automatically identifies hosts and storage nodes, establishes the mapping relationships, and populates the data structure. This self-service approach reduces address management overhead while maintaining high communication capability across networks.
3Adaptability or versatility
If network address translation is used for communication between different networks, then network compatibility is improved, but processing overhead and communication latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network address mapping is established in advance through a discovery process before actual storage I/O operations begin. By pre-computing and storing the address translation mappings in a data structure, the system avoids performing address translation during time-critical storage operations. This preliminary action minimizes processing overhead and communication latency while maintaining network compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus in an illustrative embodiment comprises at least one processing device that includes a processor coupled to a memory. The at least one processing device is configured to determine, as part of a network discovery process for a host device operating in a first network which accesses a storage node operating in a second network, a network address mapping data structure comprising mappings between a first set of network addresses in the first network and a second set of network addresses in a second network. The at least one processing device is also configured to associate at least one of the mappings with an identifier of the host device, to obtain and modify communications to be exchanged between the host device and the storage node based on the network address mapping data structure, and to provide the modified communications to an inter-network link between the first and second networks.