Predictive Storage Volume Expansion Under Affinity Constraints

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing computing applications face challenges in dynamically allocating persistent storage due to varying storage requirements over time, lacking flexibility in storage volume management.

Innovation Solution

A system that monitors storage volume usage, predicts future needs, and dynamically expands or relocates storage volumes to meet anticipated demands while adhering to affinity and anti-affinity requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If storage volume allocation is fixed in advance, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to changing storage demands deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to changing storage demandsVSAvoidstorage management system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage volume allocation is made dynamic through continuous monitoring of usage patterns and predictive analytics. The system automatically adjusts volume sizes based on predicted future needs, transforming the static allocation model into a dynamic one that adapts to changing demands without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The storage management system performs self-service by automatically monitoring usage, predicting future requirements, and reallocating storage volumes without requiring manual administrative intervention. This autonomous operation resolves the contradiction by providing adaptability while keeping operational complexity manageable through automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If storage volume is pre-allocated to ensure future capacity, then reliability is improved, but loss of substance (wasted storage space) increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacity reliabilityVSAvoidwasted storage space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by predicting future storage requirements using usage pattern analysis and machine learning algorithms. This allows the system to allocate storage capacity proactively based on forecasted needs rather than reacting to actual consumption, ensuring reliability while minimizing waste through precise prediction-driven allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops by monitoring actual storage usage patterns and comparing them against predictions. This feedback mechanism allows the system to refine its predictive models and adjust allocations dynamically, ensuring that sufficient capacity is maintained for reliability while minimizing wasted space through accurate demand forecasting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of substance

If storage volumes are frequently adjusted to match actual usage, then loss of substance is reduced, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewasted storage spaceVSAvoidstorage management ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The storage management system performs self-service by automatically executing the complex tasks of monitoring usage patterns, predicting future requirements, and reallocating volumes. This automation eliminates the need for manual storage management operations, reducing operational complexity while achieving efficient space utilization through continuous adaptive reallocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If manual storage allocation management is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and adaptability to dynamic demands deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage resource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidautomated storage management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical storage management operations with automated electronic monitoring and predictive analytics. Machine learning algorithms and automated provisioning systems substitute for manual administrative tasks, dramatically improving productivity and adaptability while the complexity is managed through standardized automated processes rather than manual procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12498875B2Dynamic grow volume

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 RAKUTEN SYMPHONY INC

AI summary

Usage of a storage volume is monitored, including monitoring a write frequency and an overwrite frequency for the storage volume. The overwrite frequency may be obtained from garbage collection data for the storage volume. The write frequency and overwrite frequency may be used to obtain a growth rate and predict future usage of the storage volume. Where future usage indicates that expansion of storage allocated to the storage volume is needed, affinity requirements, anti-affinity requirements, and rebalancing reduction are evaluated with respect to the expansion. If expansion satisfies these constraints, the storage volume is locally expanded. Otherwise, the storage volume is relocated to a different storage device.