Dynamic SAS Routing Across IOM and Expander Failures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data transfer approaches in redundant configurations fail to maintain data paths when hardware components such as SAS IOMs and SAS expanders fail, leading to data loss despite redundancy.
Innovation Solution
Implement an interconnect module that dynamically routes data through operational hardware components by identifying failures and creating cross-connections between SAS IOMs and SAS expanders, ensuring continuous redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant hardware configuration is implemented, then system reliability is improved, but data transfer capability deteriorates when components fail due to static routing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic routing that automatically adjusts data paths based on real-time detection of hardware component status. When a component fails, the system dynamically reroutes data through alternative paths without manual intervention, transforming the static redundant configuration into an actively adaptive system that maintains data transfer capability despite component failures
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the operational status of hardware components and uses this feedback to make real-time routing decisions. The feedback mechanism detects component failures and triggers automatic rerouting, ensuring that the redundant configuration actually maintains data transfer capability by responding to changing system conditions
2Device complexity
If static redundant configuration is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates when hardware failures occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis and self-reconfiguration when hardware failures occur. The routing mechanism automatically detects component status changes and adjusts data paths without requiring external intervention or complex manual reconfiguration, enabling the system to adapt to failures while maintaining relatively simple operational complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises a processing device configured to identify, for a modular server comprising a chassis, a plurality of hardware components installed in the chassis, wherein the plurality of hardware components comprise at least a first input-output module and a second input-output module, and a first expander and a second expander of a storage system installed in the chassis, to determine a failure of one or more of the first input-output module, the second input-output module, the first expander and the second expander, and to dynamically route data through respective ones of the plurality of hardware components which remain operational in response to the determined failure. The processing device is connected to the first input-output module, the second input-output module, the first expander and the second expander.