Relaying Apparatus Link-Down Detection Storage Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
In storage systems, when a link-down occurs between a storage device and a connection unit, higher-order apparatuses cannot access the storage device in the same manner as before the link-down, due to the inability to identify the correct connection unit for data forwarding.
Innovation Solution
A relaying apparatus with a detecting unit to identify link-downs and a forwarding unit that matches the address of the storage device connected to the first connection unit with the address of the storage device connected to a second connection unit during a link-up, allowing data forwarding via the second connection unit when the addresses match, and updating tables to maintain identifier consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a link-down occurs between a first connection unit and a storage device, then the storage device can be physically reconnected to a second connection unit, but higher-order apparatuses cannot access the storage device in the same manner as before the link-down
Solution Approach 1:
The relaying apparatus pre-stores the mapping relationship between connection units and storage devices in a table before any link-down occurs. When a link-down happens and the storage device is reconnected to a different connection unit, the apparatus consults this pre-stored table to determine the correct forwarding path, thereby maintaining access consistency without requiring higher-order apparatuses to be aware of the connection change.
Solution Approach 2:
The relaying apparatus acts as an intermediary between higher-order apparatuses and storage devices. It maintains a mapping table that associates connection unit identifiers with storage device addresses, and uses this table to forward access requests from higher-order apparatuses to the correct storage device regardless of which connection unit is currently active, thus shielding higher-order apparatuses from connection changes.
2Reliability
If the relaying apparatus forwards data through a second connection unit after a link-down, then access to the storage device is maintained, but the identifier associated with the connection unit changes
Solution Approach 1:
The relaying apparatus maintains a copy of the original connection unit identifier and storage device address mapping in a table. When forwarding data through a second connection unit, it uses this copied mapping information to construct forwarding requests that preserve the original identifier associations, thereby maintaining identifier consistency even though the physical connection path has changed.
3Ease of operation
If the relaying apparatus maintains a mapping table to enable seamless forwarding, then access consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relaying apparatus automatically updates its internal mapping table when connection units are added, removed, or changed, without requiring manual intervention or external configuration. The apparatus monitors connection status changes and self-adjusts the forwarding paths based on current connection unit assignments, thereby maintaining access consistency while minimizing operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A relaying apparatus placed between a control apparatus and a storage device in a storage apparatus includes a first connection unit, a second connection unit and a processor. The first connection unit is connected to a storage device. A detecting unit detects a link-down of the first connection unit. The processor executes a process in which, the address of the storage device that was connected to the first connection unit when the link-down has occurred to the first connection unit matches the address of the storage device connected to the second connection unit when the link-up has occurred to the second connection unit, and an access request is given from the control apparatus with an attached first identifier that identifies the first connection unit, data is forwarded via the second connection unit.