Protocol-Agnostic Storage Access via SDN Switch Tagging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current network orchestrators handle storage and networking resources independently, leading to a disconnect that prevents an efficient single converged fabric in data centers, even with Ethernet-based storage, requiring administrators to choose specific storage protocols for clients to access storage resources.
Innovation Solution
Implementing software-defined network (SDN) enabled switches that determine storage protocols for incoming packets, add protocol tags, and communicate with an SDN controller to route packets appropriately, enabling protocol-agnostic storage access by utilizing a northbound API for deploying protocol-specific applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If network orchestrators handle storage and networking resources independently, then resource management is simplified, but a disconnect occurs that prevents efficient single converged fabric
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges storage resource management and networking resource management into a unified architecture where the network orchestrator can manage both types of resources through a common control plane, enabling efficient single converged fabric while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized interfaces
2Reliability
If administrators choose specific storage protocols for clients, then protocol-specific optimization is achieved, but protocol-agnostic access is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protocol translation layer and SDN controller as intermediaries between clients and storage resources. These intermediaries enable protocol conversion and intelligent routing, allowing clients to access storage using standard Ethernet while the system translates to appropriate storage protocols (FCoE, iSCSI, etc.) behind the scenes, achieving both reliability and protocol agnosticism
3Adaptability or versatility
If Ethernet-based storage protocols are used, then networking and storage convergence is enabled, but protocol-agnostic access requires additional complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal SDN controllers and network orchestrators that can handle multiple storage protocols (FCoE, iSCSI, Ethernet) through a single multi-functional platform. The system provides protocol-agnostic access by detecting incoming packet protocols and routing them to appropriate handling mechanisms, reducing the need for separate specialized systems for each protocol
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments relate to protocol agnostic storage access with a software defined network (SDN). A method may include receiving, at a SDN enabled switch, an initialization packet to access a storage volume. The method may include determining, at the SDN enabled switch, a storage protocol used by the initialization packet, adding a protocol tag indicative of the storage protocol to the initialization packet, and sending the initialization packet to a SDN controller. The method may include identifying, at the SDN controller, a storage application based on the protocol tag and sending the initialization packet to the storage application. The storage application may be one of a plurality of storage applications, each associated with a different storage protocol. The method may include performing, by the storage application, protocol-specific tasks.