Server I/O Interface for Storage Processor Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In computer systems with multiple servers and storage devices, existing technologies face challenges in improving I/O performance due to processor deviations and limitations in accessing storage, leading to increased management costs and reduced flexibility and extensibility.
Innovation Solution
A direct bus connection between servers and storage devices is established, utilizing a storage control module with multiple processors and server interfaces that manage I/O requests efficiently without relying on network switches, allowing for load balancing and redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a network switch is used to connect multiple servers to storage devices, then storage capacity can be unitarily managed and accessibility is improved, but bandwidth limitations and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a storage area network (SAN) as an intermediary infrastructure that enables direct-attached storage connectivity between multiple servers and storage devices. The SAN fabric acts as a mediator that provides both the direct connection benefits (high bandwidth, low latency) and the shared accessibility benefits (unitary management, multi-server access) simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between speed and adaptability.
2Productivity
If FC ports are increased or next-generation products are used to improve bandwidth, then I/O performance is enhanced, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs protocol conversion and emulation techniques where lower-cost interface implementations are made to function as higher-cost interfaces. By copying the functionality of expensive FC interfaces through software-based protocol conversion, the system achieves comparable I/O performance without the high hardware costs, resolving the contradiction between productivity and device complexity.
3Speed
If direct bus connection is used between server and storage, then bandwidth and latency are improved, but system flexibility and extensibility may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal storage interface architecture where the SAN fabric provides standardized, multi-functional connectivity that supports both direct-attached performance characteristics and network-attached flexibility. The universal interface allows the same infrastructure to serve multiple purposes: high-speed direct access when needed, shared access when needed, and easy system expansion, resolving the contradiction between speed and adaptability.
4Ease of operation
If storage devices are connected to each server individually, then management is simplified, but accessible range is limited and information is distributed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges individual storage connections into a unified shared storage pool through the SAN infrastructure. Multiple storage devices are combined into a single virtualized storage resource that can be accessed by multiple servers simultaneously. This merging provides both the management simplicity of centralized storage control and the accessibility benefits of shared data resources, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system includes a first storage control module and at least one server module. The first storage control module includes plural storage processors. Each server module includes a server processor and a server I/F connected to the server processor and at least two of the plurality of storage processors. The sever I/F of an issuance server which is any one of the at least one server module specifies the storage processor by referring to sorting information in which identification information of the issuance server of an I/O request issued by the server processor of the issuance server, identification information of a destination storage area of the I/O request, and identification information of the storage processor in charge of the destination storage area are correlated with each other, and sends a command based on the I/O request to the specified storage processor.