Serial Storage Enclosure Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high total cost of ownership (TCO) of data storage systems is driven by continuous power-on requirements, which lead to increased power consumption and operational costs, especially in large-scale disk-based archive storage systems where not all data needs to be immediately accessible.
Innovation Solution
A data storage system with a power management module that selectively powers only a portion of disk storages within each enclosure, using a single power supply module and serially connected storage enclosures, to reduce power consumption and eliminate the need for individual power supply units, thereby lowering TCO.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If all disk storages are kept powered-on continuously, then data accessibility is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the storage enclosures into multiple groups and selectively powers on only the necessary groups based on data access requirements. Each enclosure can be independently controlled, allowing the system to segment power distribution and avoid keeping all disks powered-on continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management module dynamically adjusts the power state of storage enclosures based on real-time access patterns and data priorities. Enclosures are powered on or off according to changing system requirements, making the power consumption adaptive rather than static.
2Quantity of substance
If all storage enclosures are activated, then storage capacity is maximized, but heat dissipation increases
Solution Approach 1:
Storage enclosures are segmented into independently controllable units. The system activates only the enclosures containing data that needs to be accessed, rather than powering all enclosures simultaneously. This reduces the total heat generated while maintaining necessary storage capacity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If individual power supply units are installed in each storage enclosure, then power management flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple power supply units are merged into a single centralized power supply module that can selectively power multiple enclosures. This consolidates the power management infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to independently control power distribution to different enclosure groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The single power supply module is designed to serve multiple storage enclosures simultaneously, making it a universal power source. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated power supplies in each enclosure while providing flexible power management capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a data storage system comprising a power supply module, a plurality of serially connected storage enclosures, where a first storage enclosure of the plurality of serially connected storage enclosures is connected to the power supply module, and a power management module connected to the power supply module. A given storage enclosure includes at least one disk storage. The power management module is configured to selectively cause the power supply module to provide electric power to activate the first storage enclosure. The power management module is further configured to selectively cause the power supply module to provide electric power to activate a second storage enclosure, where the second storage enclosure is connected downstream from the first storage enclosure, and the second storage enclosure is configured to selectively receive power from the power supply module in response to the first storage enclosure being active.