Remote Block Device Orchestration for Distributed RAID Replication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data storage systems face inefficiencies and high costs due to the reliance on centralized storage arrays, which require extensive infrastructure, resources, and maintenance, and lack flexibility and reliability, especially in managing distributed storage and remote replication.

Innovation Solution

A data storage system utilizing unexploited Direct Attached Storage (DAS) resources across servers, orchestrated by a control plane (CP) to manage and expose storage media over a data plane (DP) network, enabling efficient data management, redundancy, and replication without the need for centralized storage arrays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If centralized storage arrays are used to provide data storage and backup capabilities, then data storage management services can be provided, but extensive infrastructure, computing capacity, and resources are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata storage management capabilityVSAvoidinfrastructure requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the storage management functions from centralized storage arrays and distributes them across individual servers. Each server manages its own storage locally, eliminating the need for a separate centralized storage array infrastructure. This extraction reduces overall system complexity while maintaining data storage management capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Each server in the system independently manages its own storage resources without requiring centralized storage array services. The servers perform self-provisioning, self-management, and self-orchestration of storage resources, reducing dependency on extensive centralized infrastructure while maintaining full storage management functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional storage arrays are used to provide storage services, then capacity and space allocation can be managed, but significant computing capacity and metadata resources are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage service provisionVSAvoidcomputing capacity consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts storage management computing tasks from centralized arrays and distributes them to individual servers. Each server handles its own storage operations locally, reducing the computing capacity burden on centralized systems while maintaining versatile storage service provision across the distributed environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If storage arrays are separated from system servers, then dedicated hardware can be used for storage operations, but flexibility and adaptability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage operation performanceVSAvoidsystem integration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges storage operations directly with system servers by implementing Direct Attached Storage. Storage devices are attached directly to servers, combining compute and storage functions in a unified architecture. This integration maintains storage operation performance while significantly improving system flexibility and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If RAID 5/6 configurations are used for data redundancy, then data protection is provided, but write performance is reduced due to parity calculation overhead

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata redundancyVSAvoidwrite operation performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts parity calculation operations from centralized storage arrays and distributes them across individual servers. Each server performs its own local redundancy operations independently, eliminating the write performance bottleneck caused by centralized parity calculations while maintaining data protection through distributed RAID implementations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

5Reliability

If centralized storage arrays are deployed, then data backup and replication services can be provided, but extensive infrastructure and maintenance resources are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata backup capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service architecture where each server independently manages its own backup and replication operations. Servers perform self-orchestration of storage resources without requiring centralized management infrastructure. This self-service approach reduces maintenance complexity while maintaining comprehensive data backup and replication capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12517797B2Method and system for orchestrating remote block device connection between servers

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 VOLUMEZ TECH LTD

AI summary

A data storage system and method comprising: at least two servers that comprise a RAID 1 storage volume and configured to run an operating system designated to host data accessible and exposable over a data plane (DP) network, wherein the servers are located remotely from each other, and wherein the RAID 1 is configured to be utilized for a remote replication procedure while connecting the two volumes of the at least two servers.