Plug-in Metadata Coordination for Storage Service Operations
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems face challenges in efficiently communicating between plug-ins for storage service operations, particularly in cloud-based environments, where multiple plug-ins need to collect and share metadata for tasks like replication and restoration, leading to inefficiencies in data management and storage services.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the generation of discovery requests and metadata acquisition by plug-ins, where metadata is stored at both a local and a storage device-managed location, allowing for coordinated completion of storage service operations based on the execution locations of the plug-ins, facilitating efficient communication and data management across applications and virtual machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple plug-ins are used to collect information for storage service operations, then the functionality and versatility of storage services are improved, but the complexity of communication and coordination between plug-ins increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a plug-in framework with standardized interfaces and a common metadata repository that acts as an intermediary between multiple plug-ins. This framework enables plug-ins to communicate through defined protocols and share metadata without direct point-to-point connections, reducing communication complexity while maintaining service versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal plug-in framework that can accommodate multiple specialized plug-ins through standardized interfaces. The common metadata repository serves as a multi-functional platform that all plug-ins can access, eliminating the need for separate communication channels between each plug-in pair and reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If metadata is stored at multiple locations (local and storage device-managed), then the reliability and accessibility of metadata are improved, but the storage complexity and resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dual-storage strategy where metadata is stored both locally (for fast access and offline capability) and at a storage device-managed location (for centralized control and backup). Each storage location serves different quality requirements - local storage provides speed and availability, while centralized storage provides management and persistence, optimizing the system for different operational scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a predefined metadata storage architecture with designated local and centralized locations before operations begin. This preliminary setup includes defined data structures, storage paths, and access protocols, eliminating the need for dynamic storage decisions during operations and reducing runtime complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If plug-ins execute at different locations (host and storage device), then the flexibility and distribution of storage services are improved, but the coordination overhead and communication latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a standardized communication framework and common metadata repository that acts as an intermediary between plug-ins executing at different locations. This framework provides defined protocols and data structures that enable efficient information exchange, reducing coordination overhead and latency while maintaining the flexibility of distributed execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs standardized data formats, metadata schemas, and communication protocols as parameters that remain consistent across different execution locations. By establishing these parameter standards in advance, the system enables plug-ins at different locations to communicate efficiently without requiring complex adaptation logic, reducing coordination time.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and system for a storage environment are provided. The method generates a first discovery request for a first plug-in associated with a first application executed by a computing system having access to a networked storage system for a storage service operation; acquires metadata by the first plug-in for the storage service operation and storing the metadata at a first location and at a second location, where the second location is at a storage device managed by a storage interface module that co-ordinates completion of the storage service operation; generates a second discovery request for a second plug-in for a second application for the storage service operation; and acquires metadata by the second plug-in using the metadata acquired by the first plug-in for the storage service operation and updating metadata stored at the first location and the second location.