Network Hard Disk Enclosures for Scalable Storage Pool Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hard disk enclosures are limited in forming large-scale storage structures due to direct or cascade connections with controllers, making it difficult to meet increasing bulk-capacity storage requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for storage management that networks hard disks with multiple controllers via network hard disk enclosures, allowing for the selection of a main controller, synchronization of hard disk information, and parallel processing of read/write requests across idle disks, enabling efficient allocation and processing of storage space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If hard disk enclosures use direct connection or cascade connection with controllers, then the connection structure is simple, but the storage scale is limited and cannot form large-scale storage structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces network hard disk enclosures as intermediary components that connect hard disk enclosures to controllers through a network. This intermediary layer enables multiple controllers to access storage devices remotely, breaking the limitation of direct/cascade connections and allowing formation of large-scale storage structures while maintaining manageable system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional physical connection dimensions (direct or cascade connections) to a network-based dimensional connection. By using network hard disk enclosures, the system adds a network communication dimension, enabling controllers to access storage devices remotely and forming large-scale storage structures that exceed the capabilities of traditional connection methods
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple controllers are connected via network hard disk enclosures, then storage scalability is enhanced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Network hard disk enclosures serve as intermediary components that simplify the connection between multiple controllers and storage devices. Instead of requiring complex direct connections between all controllers and devices, the network enclosure acts as a mediator that manages connections centrally, enabling scalability while controlling system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The network hard disk enclosure provides universal functionality by serving multiple controllers simultaneously and enabling remote access to storage devices. This multi-functional component allows any controller to access any storage device through the network, providing scalability without requiring specialized connection configurations for each controller-storage pair
3Productivity
If hard disk information is synchronized via proxy drivers and cluster drivers, then storage space allocation efficiency is improved, but the information transmission and processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces proxy drivers and cluster drivers as intermediary software components that manage information transmission between controllers and storage devices. These drivers act as mediators that handle hard disk information synchronization, allocation requests, and coordination between multiple controllers, improving allocation efficiency while encapsulating the complexity of information transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The proxy drivers pre-establish connection information and device status data before actual allocation operations occur. By preparing and synchronizing hard disk information in advance through the proxy driver layer, the system enables rapid allocation decisions without requiring complex real-time information gathering during allocation operations
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method and system for storage management, a storage medium and a device. The method includes: making hard disks in a storage pool network with several controllers via network hard disk enclosures, respectively sending hard disk information to proxy drivers which are pre-configured in the controllers, and selecting one of the controllers as a main controller; respectively sending, the hard disk information to cluster drivers which are pre-configured in respective controllers; acquiring the hard disk information from each cluster driver via the main controller, and sending the total hard disk information sent to each cluster driver; acquiring information of a logical unit space corresponding to the request, and allocating an idle hard disk in the storage pool for the logical unit space according to the total hard disk information; processing, the read/write request in parallel in the idle hard disk.