SCSI Target Port Failover Control for Virtual Endpoints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data storage networks face challenges in managing virtual endpoint failures during administrative SCSI target port operations, leading to disruptive system reconfigurations and increased administrative overhead, especially in high-availability storage environments where automatic failover is not adequately supported.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that enables dynamic management of SCSI target virtual endpoints and NPIV virtual ports in Fibre Channel networks, allowing for automatic failover and failback of virtual endpoints during SCSI target port enable or disable operations, thereby facilitating non-disruptive reconfiguration and management of storage devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual failover operations are performed in data storage networks, then storage device failover can be achieved, but substantial administrative overhead is required and system operation is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automatic failover detection and execution mechanisms that monitor port status changes and trigger failover operations without human intervention. The storage system autonomously detects when a primary port fails or is disabled, automatically switches to backup ports, and manages the entire failover process including updating mapping relationships and notifying relevant components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures backup ports and establishes mapping relationships between virtual endpoints and multiple physical ports before failures occur. When a primary port fails, the pre-established backup mappings enable immediate failover without requiring real-time configuration changes or administrative intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If static reconfiguration operations are performed on storage devices, then system reconfiguration can be achieved, but the entire network must be taken down causing performance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic reconfiguration that allows port mapping changes to occur while the storage system remains operational. Virtual endpoints can be remapped from failed ports to backup ports in real-time without taking down the entire network, maintaining data transfer operations and system availability throughout the reconfiguration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the reconfiguration process into individual port-level operations rather than requiring full-system shutdown. Each virtual endpoint's mapping can be updated independently and selectively, allowing partial reconfiguration of specific ports while other parts of the system continue operating normally.
3Reliability
If device rescan operations are performed at operating system level after failover, then device recognition can be achieved, but substantial administrative overhead is added to recovery operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains persistent mapping information between virtual endpoints and physical ports that survives failover events. When failover occurs, the mapping relationships are already established and maintained in the system, eliminating the need for time-consuming device rescans at the operating system level to re-recognize storage devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements notification mechanisms that automatically inform relevant system components of failover events and mapping changes. Instead of requiring rescans to detect changes, the system proactively notifies operating systems and applications of the failover, enabling immediate recognition without additional administrative operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are described for systems and methods that facilitate control of virtual endpoint failover/failback during an administrative SCSI target port disable or enable operation. In this case, SCSI target virtual endpoints may failover to a secondary SCSI target port when the primary port fails. When the primary port is corrected and enabled by the administrator the failover method pulls virtual endpoints on secondary ports back to the primary port under administrator control; and if an administrator wishes to manually disable a SCSI target port the failover operation pushes (failover) all virtual endpoints currently using the port as a primary to a secondary port.