Server Storage LPAR I/O Path Optimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing LPAR technology for server storage systems fails to consider the physical connection between the server and storage systems, leading to inappropriate communication paths and reduced I/O performance due to unnecessary forwarding between processors.
Innovation Solution
A server storage system is designed with a combination of direct and indirect connections between processors and interface devices, allowing for optimized path determination based on physical connections to minimize forwarding and enhance I/O performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If LPAR technology is applied to server storage system to logically divide the system, then the server storage system can be logically divided end-to-end from server system to storage system, but the physical connection between server system and storage system cannot be taken into account leading to inappropriate paths and reduced I/O performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the server storage system into multiple LPARs (Logical Partitioning Units) that can be independently managed. Each LPAR is assigned specific server processors, storage processors, and interface devices, allowing logical division while maintaining physical connection awareness within each partition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary configuration of physical connections before logical partitioning. The system pre-establishes the mapping between interface devices and processor units, and pre-configures LPAR assignments based on physical connectivity, ensuring that I/O paths are optimized before actual data transfer operations begin.
2Productivity
If connection relationship between CPU and memory module is taken into account to form LPAR, then direct connection performance can be improved, but the physical connection between server and storage systems is still not considered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the considerations for CPU-memory connections with server-storage connections into a unified LPAR configuration approach. By combining these connection types under the same logical partitioning framework, the system manages multiple connection relationships simultaneously without increasing overall configuration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal LPAR configuration mechanism that handles both CPU-memory connections and server-storage connections through the same interface and management system. This multi-functional approach allows the system to manage different types of connections using a single set of principles and tools.
3Ease of operation
If inappropriate path is used in communication between server system and storage system due to not considering physical connection, then forwarding may occur between processors, but the system can still function with indirect connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces interface devices as intermediaries between server processors and storage processors. These interface devices serve as dedicated mediators that direct I/O requests along optimal paths based on pre-configured physical connections, reducing the need for processor-to-processor forwarding and minimizing communication delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of physical connection relationships within the logical partitioning structure. By maintaining virtual representations of physical connectivity in the LPAR configuration, the system can make routing decisions based on actual physical paths without requiring complex real-time discovery mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A server storage system includes: a server system including a plurality of server processors; a storage system including a plurality of storage devices and a plurality of storage processors; and a plurality of interface devices coupled to the plurality of server processors and the plurality of storage processors by a bus. A logical volume to which a ST processor unit inputs/outputs data is provided from the ST processor unit (a storage processor or a core of the storage processor) which is directly connected to an interface device of a server LPAR (a logical partition of a server system) including an SV processor unit (a server processor or a core of the server processor), to the server LPAR.