Storage Area Network Resource Reservation via Property Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In storage area networks, resource reservation methods lead to inefficiencies as they often require reserving entire resources, making them unavailable for other uses, even if partial allocation would not conflict with existing reservations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a reservation service that allows selective reservation of specific properties or portions of resources, enabling changes within defined limits without invalidating existing reservations, thereby increasing concurrent use and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an entire resource is reserved for a specific purpose, then resource allocation reliability is improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments resources into distinct properties that can be independently reserved. Instead of reserving an entire resource as a single unit, the system allows reservation of specific properties (e.g., capacity, performance characteristics) of resources. This segmentation enables partial reservation where only the necessary properties are reserved for a specific purpose while other properties remain available for concurrent use, thereby maintaining allocation reliability for reserved properties while improving overall resource utilization efficiency.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a resource is reserved to prevent conflicts, then system stability is improved, but resource flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing resources into reservable properties and non-reservable properties, the system maintains stability for reserved properties while preserving flexibility for unreserved properties. Multiple reservations can coexist on the same resource as long as they target different properties or portions of properties, allowing the system to remain stable for each reservation while being flexible overall in accommodating diverse resource allocation scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by reserving only the specific properties needed for each allocation rather than reserving entire resources. This partial reservation approach provides just enough stability for each specific purpose while leaving other properties available for flexible allocation to other uses, thereby achieving system stability without sacrificing resource flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If entire resources are reserved, then reservation simplicity is improved, but resource waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system simplifies reservations by allowing users to specify only the properties they need to reserve rather than having to reserve entire resources. This segmented approach reduces resource waste because users can precisely reserve only the necessary properties for their specific purpose, leaving other properties available for concurrent allocation. The operation remains simple as the reservation mechanism handles property-level granularity automatically.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, and program product for reserving resources in a networked environment, e.g. a storage area network. A resource is some object that a user must use or change to complete a task. When a user plans a task, the user selects some high-level resources and properties to reserve and a Reservation Service embodiment creates reservations for them. Accordingly, the method system and program product embodiments overcome inefficiencies in reserving resources in a data storage environment while still allowing such reservations to occur. The method includes reserving portions of properties for resources from more than one available choice.