Server Memory Flush During Shutdown via SLO Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information handling systems face data loss during server shutdown due to insufficient prioritization of write commands, leading to incomplete data transfer from volatile memory to storage arrays before power loss.
Innovation Solution
The system increases the service level objective (SLO) of write commands from the server to the storage array upon detection of an impending shutdown, ensuring higher priority and faster data transfer by increasing bandwidth and CPU cycles for write operations, thereby preventing data loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the server shuts down normally without prioritizing write commands, then the system maintains standard operational efficiency, but data loss occurs because write commands are not completed before power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the service level objective (SLO) parameter based on the shutdown state. When a shutdown is detected, the SLO for write commands is increased to high priority, ensuring data is flushed before power loss. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptive to the shutdown condition rather than maintaining a static priority level.
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects the shutdown initiation signal and preemptively increases the priority of write commands before actual power loss occurs. This preliminary action ensures that data flushing is completed in advance, preventing data loss while maintaining normal shutdown timing. The key is detecting the shutdown signal early and acting before the critical moment of power loss.
2Speed
If the system increases bandwidth and CPU cycles for write operations during shutdown, then data transfer speed improves, but system resources are consumed faster
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies high-priority resource allocation periodically or conditionally only during the shutdown phase, rather than continuously. The SLO adjustment is triggered by the shutdown signal and lasts only for the duration needed to flush pending writes. This periodic/conditional application of high resources resolves the contradiction by concentrating energy expenditure only when necessary for data integrity, rather than maintaining high resource usage continuously.
3Reliability
If the server maintains standard write command priority during shutdown, then system operations remain stable, but data loss risk increases due to insufficient time for data flushing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the priority parameter (SLO) of write commands from normal to high when shutdown is detected. This parameter change effectively multiplies the urgency and resource allocation for data flushing, ensuring that data transfer completes within the limited time available before power loss. The parameter change transforms the time constraint into an opportunity for prioritized action.
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system includes a server and a storage array. The server includes a memory buffer that stores data for an operating system executed within the server. The server detects that a shut down of the server has been initiated, and provides a signal indicating that the shut down has been initiated. The storage array receives the signal from the server, and increases a service level objective of write commands from the server in response to the signal being received.