Redundant Path Validation for Datacenter Storage Provisioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Configuring redundant paths in datacenter storage systems is challenging due to the complexity of connecting servers and storage devices via Ethernet and Fibre Channel switches, leading to human errors and inefficiencies in volume provisioning, particularly in systems with Fibre Channel Switches where administrators spend significant time figuring out configurations and managing locked resources.

Innovation Solution

A management software validates and configures both physical and logical paths by identifying redundant server and storage ports, checking for connections, and repairing any issues using reserved cabling and zoning, thereby eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring redundant connections before provisioning volumes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If administrators manually configure redundant paths in Fibre Channel storage systems, then connection reliability is improved, but configuration time and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidconfiguration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary validation of physical cabling and logical path configuration before volume provisioning. The management software checks WWN mappings, validates Fibre Channel paths, and verifies redundant connections are properly established prior to storage allocation, preventing configuration errors from propagating to production systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The management software automatically discovers and validates Fibre Channel connections by querying switch WWN information and comparing it with expected configurations. The system self-corrects minor configuration issues and automatically verifies redundant path availability without requiring manual administrator intervention for each validation step

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If administrators manually configure redundant paths in storage systems, then connection reliability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The management software acts as an intermediary between administrators and the complex Fibre Channel infrastructure. It abstracts the complexity by providing high-level commands for path validation while handling detailed WWN mapping, switch configuration, and redundancy verification automatically, shielding administrators from low-level configuration complexities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The management software performs multiple functions including physical path validation, logical zoning verification, WWN mapping validation, and redundant connection confirmation through a single integrated interface. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate tools and procedures into one universal validation system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If volume provisioning is performed without validating redundant paths, then provisioning speed is improved, but system reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprovisioning speedVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical configuration verification with automated electronic validation. The management software uses programmatic queries to Fibre Channel switches to validate paths and redundancy, substituting manual inspection and testing with automated digital verification that is both faster and more reliable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10223144B2Method and apparatus of redundant path validation before provisioning

Publication Date: 2019.03.05 HITACHI VANTARA LTD

AI summary

Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a technique to validate physical cabling and logical path before provisioning volume. In accordance with an aspect, a computer comprises a memory storing software and a processor executing the software. The software is operable to: identify first server port and second server port forming redundant ports of a server and first storage port and second storage port forming redundant ports of a storage system; and check whether a redundant relationship is formed by at least one of (i) a physical connection between the first server port and the first storage port and a physical connection between the second server port and the second storage port, or (ii) a logical connection between the first server port and the first storage port and a logical connection between the second server port and the second storage port.