SAN Topology Representation via Database Queries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional topology identification and representation schemes in large storage area networks (SANs) require substantial memory to represent all manageable entities and their relations, making it impossible for the SAN management application to load the entire topology for querying from the operator console.
Innovation Solution
Storing the topology representation in database tables corresponding to a topology schema, allowing the management application to perform topology manipulations via database queries instead of loading the entire topology into memory, using a relational database with Java/C++ friendly APIs for efficient data processing and scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the entire topology representation is loaded into memory for querying, then query processing speed is improved, but memory requirements become excessive and unsustainable for large SANs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the topology data into multiple database pages that are stored on disk rather than loaded entirely into memory. Only the necessary pages are loaded into memory buffers when needed for query processing, enabling efficient query performance without requiring excessive memory resources for large SAN topologies
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a buffer manager as an intermediary layer between the database storage and memory. This buffer manager handles page loading, caching, and memory management, allowing the system to process queries efficiently by managing memory resources dynamically without requiring the entire topology to reside in memory simultaneously
2Quantity of substance
If database tables are used to store topology representation, then memory requirements are reduced, but query processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-defines the database schema and table structures to match the topology representation requirements. By establishing the proper database architecture in advance with appropriate indexing and normalization, the system simplifies query processing despite the complexity of database operations, as the preliminary structure enables efficient data retrieval without ad-hoc complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional topology representation schemes are used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but scalability is limited for large SANs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal database-based topology representation that can handle SANs of any size. The same database schema and query mechanisms work for both small and large topologies, providing scalability while maintaining implementation simplicity through standardized database operations rather than custom data structures that would need to be redesigned for different scales
Data Source
AI summary
A topology representation stores the topology in database tables corresponding to a topology schema for representing the manageable entities and relations in the SAN. A management application performs topology manipulations via database queries operable to process the database tables representing the topology, thus avoiding loading the entire topology into memory. Accordingly, configurations herein need not store the entire topology representation in order to process the topology by performing relational database queries that effectively perform the topology processing via the database query engine rather than a memory resident data structure.