RAID Storage Layout Using Virtual Disks and Physical Extents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional RAID storage systems are limited by their reliance on a single storage node and a fixed allocation of physical disks, which restricts scalability and flexibility in managing data storage across multiple nodes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a RAID storage system that utilizes virtual disks and physical extents (PEs) to distribute data across multiple storage nodes, allowing for the use of a set of physical disks by multiple RAID arrays and enabling allocation and access beyond a single node or set of physical disks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional RAID storage systems use a single storage node with fixed physical disk allocation, then system simplicity is maintained, but scalability and flexibility are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage system into multiple independent storage nodes, each capable of autonomous operation. Physical disks are divided into physical extents that can be allocated across different nodes. This segmentation enables linear scaling by adding individual nodes without requiring complete system redesign, resolving the contradiction between scalability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional approach by implementing multi-node distributed storage architecture. Instead of expanding storage capacity within a single node, the system distributes data across multiple nodes in a cluster. This dimensional shift from single-node to multi-node architecture enables scalability while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized node interfaces.
2Productivity
If physical disks are fixedly allocated to a single RAID array, then allocation simplicity is maintained, but resource utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal physical extent allocation where the same pool of physical extents can be dynamically allocated to multiple different RAID arrays based on demand. Physical disks are not permanently bound to single arrays but can serve multiple arrays sequentially or concurrently through the protection pool mechanism. This multi-functionality maximizes resource utilization while the abstraction layer manages allocation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a protection pool as an intermediary layer between physical disks and RAID arrays. This intermediary manages the allocation and deallocation of physical extents, enabling flexible resource sharing across multiple arrays. The protection pool abstracts the complexity of direct allocation management, allowing efficient resource utilization without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Reliability
If data is stored on a single storage node, then access simplicity is maintained, but fault tolerance and redundancy are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data storage across multiple storage nodes in a cluster, with each node containing portions of the distributed data. This segmentation provides inherent fault tolerance since data loss at one node does not compromise the entire system. The segmentation strategy balances reliability improvement against the increased complexity of distributed data access and coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
A redundant array of independent disks (raid) array can include one or more virtual disks representing a raid configuration of the raid array. Each of the one or more virtual disks includes a number of physical extents (PEs), where a first PE and a second PE of the PEs have a same size. The first PE is located at a first storage disk of a first storage node of a cluster and the second PE is located at a second storage disk of a second storage node of the cluster.