Node Data Path Redirection for Storage Access Failures
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Solution Overview
Problem
High availability data storage systems face challenges when local access paths between nodes and storage devices fail, leading to application downtime and disruption in services like SaaS, especially when all access paths are lost, requiring a solution to maintain continuous data access with minimal performance impact.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a data path redirection mechanism between nodes, using a data path redirection module on one node and a receiver on another node, to establish an alternative data path over an IP network, allowing applications to access storage devices even when primary paths fail, leveraging IP-based replication schemes like GLVM for mirroring and redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cluster configuration with redundant nodes is implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the access path into multiple independent routes: primary direct paths from each node to storage devices, and secondary indirect paths through alternative nodes. This segmentation allows the system to isolate failures to specific segments while maintaining overall functionality through other segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary nodes that act as mediators for storage access. When a primary node cannot directly access storage, another node serves as an intermediary to redirect and forward access requests, enabling indirect access paths that bypass failed direct connections.
2Speed
If direct access paths are used for optimal performance, then speed is improved, but reliability deteriorates when paths fail
Solution Approach 1:
The access path selection is dynamic rather than static. The system continuously monitors the status of direct access paths and dynamically switches between direct paths (for optimal speed) and indirect paths through intermediary nodes (for reliability). This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize for speed when paths are healthy and switch to reliability mode when failures occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes redundant indirect access paths in advance as a cushion against potential direct path failures. These alternative paths are pre-configured but not used during normal operation, remaining dormant until needed. When a direct path fails, the system can immediately activate these pre-prepared alternative paths without interruption to data access.
3Reliability
If redundant access paths are established, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service mechanisms where nodes automatically detect path failures and autonomously select alternative access routes without requiring complex external management. The redundancy management is distributed across nodes rather than centralized, reducing the complexity of path management while maintaining high reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are systems and methods for accessing a storage device from a node when a local connection failure occurs between the node and the storage device. A failure is determined to have occurred at a first node access path between a first node and a storage device that prevents an application at the first node from accessing the storage device from the first node access path. An access request is sent from the first node to a second node. The second node has a second node access path to the storage device. A determination is made that the second node can communicate with the storage device. The storage device is accessed by an application at the first node via the second node access path.