Router Switch RAID Modules Command Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage control technologies face bottlenecks in common memory architectures due to concentrated access and excessive load on router/switch portions in distributed memory architectures, and are disrupted by malfunctions in RAID configurations.

Innovation Solution

A storage system comprising a router that transfers commands without analysis, RAID modules with independent RAID groups, and a switch that directs commands to specific modules, using a routing table and configuration information to manage logical unit IDs and media drive IDs, allowing for efficient command processing and data transfer without relying on other modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a common memory architecture is used to store information, then any interface board can access the information, but access concentration creates a bottleneck

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of informationVSAvoidaccess speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized memory into distributed memory units across multiple RAID modules. Each RAID module has its own memory that stores information locally, eliminating the single bottleneck of centralized memory while maintaining accessibility through the router/switch network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If a distributed memory architecture with a single RAID configuration is used, then modules are divided, but excessive load on router/switch and disruption on malfunction occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommand processing efficiencyVSAvoidRAID configuration stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the storage system into multiple independent RAID modules, where each module contains its own RAID configuration and memory. This segmentation allows command processing to be distributed across modules, reducing router/switch load while ensuring that a malfunction in one module does not disrupt other modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each RAID module is designed with local autonomy, having its own memory, processor, and RAID configuration. This local quality enables each module to process commands independently without relying on other modules, improving both processing efficiency and system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If the router analyzes commands to determine access targets, then routing accuracy is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommand routing accuracyVSAvoidcommand processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring routing tables in the router that map logical unit IDs to specific RAID modules. This allows the router to perform rapid lookup-based routing without analyzing command contents, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining accurate routing through pre-established paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7430636B2Storage system and storage control method comprising router and switch in communication with RAID modules

Publication Date: 2008.09.30 HITACHI VANTARA LTD

AI summary

A storage system comprises a router, which receives and transfers commands; a plurality of RAID modules; and a switch, which receives commands from the router and transmits the commands to any of the plurality of RAID modules. Each RAID module comprises a plurality of media drives, a RAID group is provided by the plurality of media drives. Each RAID module comprises an independent RAID group which does not extend into other RAID groups. In the storage system, the router performs transfer of commands without performing analysis of commands, and a processor within the RAID module performs command analysis.