Redundant Controller Containerization for Storage Failover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern storage systems face challenges in deploying client-specific applications without impacting standard operations, as resources used for feature deployment are not available for servicing reads and writes.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves identifying a redundant controller in the storage system and executing client-specific applications within containers on this redundant controller, allowing these applications to utilize resources without affecting the primary storage operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If resources are allocated to deploy client-specific applications and features, then the functionality and adaptability of the storage system are improved, but the resources available for standard operations such as servicing reads and writes are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment of client-specific applicationsVSAvoidstandard storage operations performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage system is segmented into multiple controllers, with specific controllers dedicated to running client-specific applications while other controllers handle standard storage operations. This segmentation allows resources to be divided and assigned to different functions, enabling both application deployment and standard operations to proceed simultaneously without resource contention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Controllers in the storage system are designed with multi-functionality, capable of performing both standard storage operations and executing client-specific applications. This universality allows the system to dynamically allocate controller resources based on operational needs, ensuring that standard operations maintain performance while accommodating application deployment requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If redundant controllers are utilized to execute applications, then the system can maintain high availability and failover capabilities, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem availability and failoverVSAvoidcontroller redundancy management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The redundant controllers are configured to automatically assume operational roles when primary controllers fail. The system includes self-service mechanisms where controllers monitor each other's status and autonomously perform failover operations, eliminating the need for complex manual intervention or centralized management overhead, thus maintaining reliability while managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Redundant controllers are pre-configured with application images and operational parameters before failures occur. This preliminary preparation ensures that when failover is needed, the redundant controller can immediately assume the primary role without requiring complex runtime configuration or resource allocation, thereby maintaining system availability while simplifying the failover process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12086413B2Resource failover in a fleet of storage systems

Publication Date: 2024.09.10 PURE STORAGE INC

AI summary

Deploying client-specific applications in a storage system utilizing redundant system resources, including: identifying a redundant controller in the storage system, wherein the storage system includes at least a first controller and the redundant controller; and executing one or more applications on the redundant controller, wherein the one or more applications are executed in a container.