Rules Engine for Virtual Logical Unit State Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The management of virtual targets in storage area networks becomes increasingly complex due to the need for accurate and efficient state maintenance, as traditional techniques are impractical in handling the complexity and flexibility of modern storage environments, where changes in volume definitions frequently require re-coding and scenario representation is time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A centralized system using a rules engine to manage the state of virtual targets, where events trigger state and status determinations, and current information is used to index into a rules database to maintain accurate and efficient state and status information for virtual logical units, allowing for dynamic management and indexing of resulting statuses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional coding techniques are used to manage virtual target states, then every scenario can be explicitly represented, but the system becomes increasingly complex and time-consuming to maintain as volume definitions change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of event detectors, state maintainers, and rules engines that mediate between physical target events and virtual target state management. This intermediary layer automatically processes events and updates states without requiring direct coding of every scenario, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining event types, state transitions, and rules in a rules database before runtime. When physical events occur, the system matches them against pre-established rules to determine virtual target states, eliminating the need to code and test every possible scenario beforehand.
2Reliability
If traditional coding techniques are used to manage virtual target states, then scenario outcomes can be determined, but re-coding is required whenever volume definitions change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining event types, state transitions, and rules in a rules database before runtime. When physical events occur, the system matches them against pre-established rules to determine virtual target states, eliminating the need to code and test every possible scenario beforehand.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the state management system configurable and adaptable. Volume definitions, event types, and rules can be dynamically modified in the rules database without re-coding, allowing the system to adapt to changing requirements while maintaining accurate state management.
3Reliability
If comprehensive scenario representation is implemented, then all possible outcomes can be determined, but the development and maintenance time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of event detectors, state maintainers, and rules engines that mediate between physical target events and virtual target state management. This intermediary layer automatically processes events and updates states without requiring direct coding of every scenario, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a rules database that stores templates and patterns for event-handling logic. Instead of coding each scenario from scratch, the system copies and applies pre-defined rules to match specific events, dramatically reducing development and maintenance time while ensuring consistent scenario coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A rules engine is provided to enhance management capability in storage area networks and particularly within storage switches. Resulting state and status information for virtual logical units can be maintained in a database. The database can be indexed according to the current state and/or status of members of a virtual logical unit. When an event associated with a physical target of a virtual logical unit is detected, the current state and status of members of the virtual logical unit can be determined. The current state and status information can be maintained in dynamic state and status indicator. The current state and status information can be used to identify a corresponding entry in the rules database. From the rules database, the proper resulting status and/or state of the members and/or the virtual logical unit can be determined.