RAID Configuration Automation for Heterogeneous Disk Arrays

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional RAID system configuration interfaces require users to manually specify physical disks, making it complex to replicate RAID configurations across systems with varying disk sizes and types, especially when creating multiple RAID levels with different size requirements.

Innovation Solution

The system automatically creates RAID configurations using heterogeneous physical disk setups by identifying and sorting free disks, determining the minimum required disks for each RAID level, and assigning them to maximize usable space and speed, eliminating the need for users to specify disk identities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If users manually specify physical disks for RAID configuration, then configuration precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration precisionVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs disk selection and RAID configuration without requiring manual user specification. The controller autonomously identifies available disks, determines optimal RAID levels, and creates virtual disks based on storage policies, eliminating the need for users to manually specify physical disks while maintaining configuration precision through automated decision-making algorithms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters from manual disk specification to automated policy-based configuration. By introducing storage policies that define desired storage capacity and performance characteristics, the system transforms the configuration process into an automated parameter optimization problem rather than a manual selection task

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If users manually specify physical disks for RAID configuration, then configuration precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration precisionVSAvoidease of configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system autonomously performs the entire RAID configuration process including disk identification, RAID level selection, and virtual disk creation based on storage policies. Users simply define high-level storage requirements rather than manually configuring disk assignments, dramatically improving ease of operation while maintaining configuration precision through automated algorithms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Storage policies act as an intermediary layer between user requirements and physical disk configuration. The policies translate high-level storage objectives into specific RAID configurations, serving as a mediator that eliminates the need for users to directly specify physical disks while ensuring precise configuration outcomes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If RAID configuration is replicated across systems with varying disk sizes and types, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplatform adaptabilityVSAvoidconfiguration replication accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses storage policies that define desired storage capacity and performance characteristics rather than specific disk configurations. When replicating RAID configurations across heterogeneous systems, the policies are adapted to local disk characteristics while maintaining the same storage objectives, enabling platform adaptability without sacrificing configuration precision through automated parameter adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Storage policies serve as a universal configuration language that can be applied across different hardware platforms. The same policy can be replicated across systems with varying disk sizes and types, with the system automatically adapting the physical implementation while maintaining the desired storage characteristics, achieving both adaptability and precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If automatic RAID configuration is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but extent of automation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of configurationVSAvoidautomation level

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service automation where the RAID controller autonomously performs disk selection, RAID level assignment, and virtual disk creation based on storage policies. This high level of automation dramatically improves ease of operation by eliminating manual configuration tasks while the policy-based approach ensures the automation operates within defined user requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9612759B2Systems and methods for RAID storage configuration using hetereogenous physical disk (PD) set up

Publication Date: 2017.04.04 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided that may be used to automatically create RAID configuration with heterogeneous Physical Disk (PD) set up using Virtual Disk (VD) RAID Level and size, for example, to allow replication of a given RAID configuration across multiple different RAID platform systems regardless of the underlying storage disk sizes and/or storage disk types.