Cross-Adapter RAID Configuration via Channel Number Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
In RAID configurations, the independent operations of host bus adapters lead to reduced performance when one adapter fails, as connected disk drives cannot participate, resulting in synchronization issues and reduced data transfer rates.
Innovation Solution
A control method and system that defines a master host bus adapter and slave adapters, where the master adapter responds with its own and slave adapters' channel numbers, allowing virtual coupling of channels to create a RAID configuration across multiple adapters, ensuring data safety and performance even if the master adapter fails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple host bus adapters are used to serve more disk drives, then the storage capacity and data transfer rate are improved, but the system reliability deteriorates because disk drives cannot participate in RAID configuration when their connected host bus adapter fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple host bus adapters into a unified RAID configuration by allowing disk drives connected to different host bus adapters to participate in the same RAID array. This is achieved through a configuration method that identifies and groups disk drives across multiple adapters, enabling them to work together as a single coherent storage system rather than isolated units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables host bus adapters to serve dual functions: individually managing their connected disk drives and collectively participating in cross-adapter RAID configurations. The system provides universal access and management capabilities that allow any disk drive connected to any host bus adapter to be integrated into the RAID array, making the storage system more flexible and resilient.
2Ease of operation
If host bus adapters operate independently, then each adapter can manage its disk drives autonomously, but the overall system performance deteriorates when one adapter fails or enters sleeping mode due to synchronization issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors the status of host bus adapters and disk drives, and dynamically adjusts the RAID configuration accordingly. When an adapter fails or enters sleeping mode, the system detects this change and redistributes the workload among remaining active adapters, ensuring continuous operation and maintaining performance levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static, independent operation of host bus adapters into a dynamic, adaptive system. The RAID configuration can dynamically reconfigure itself based on the operational status of individual adapters, allowing the system to optimize performance in real-time while maintaining the autonomy of individual adapters when they are functioning normally.
Data Source
AI summary
A control method of constructing a RAID configuration across multiple host bus adapters in a data-processing system includes the following steps. Firstly, a master host bus adapter and at least a first slave host bus adapter are defined among the plurality of host bus adapters. After the data-processing system is initialized, a query signal is asserted. Then, a first channel number of the master host bus adapter is responded to the query signal, wherein the first channel number at least includes a real channel number of the master host bus adapter and a channel number of the first slave host bus adapter. Afterwards, a RAID configuration across at least the master host bus adapter and the first slave host bus adapter is constructed.