Service Level Policy Adaptation for External Latencies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data storage systems face challenges in managing input/output (I/O) operations to meet service level goals, particularly in ensuring I/O response times align with specified targets, due to internal and external processing delays, which can lead to service level violations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that process I/O operations by receiving input to calculate observed I/O response times, determining service level violations, and performing corrective actions such as resource allocation or notification based on predefined time segments, including internal and external processing times, to alleviate these violations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external processing time is included in observed I/O response time calculation, then service level violations are more accurately identified, but the complexity of time calculation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the I/O response time into distinct components: internal processing time (within the storage system) and external processing time (outside the storage system, such as host system processing). This segmentation allows precise measurement of service level violations by clearly attributing delays to specific system boundaries, while managing complexity through structured time tracking of separate segments.
2Loss of time
If resource allocation is adjusted to alleviate service level violations, then I/O response time improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation that automatically adjusts system resources based on real-time service level compliance. When service level violations are detected through time measurement, the system dynamically modifies resource allocation (such as I/O throttling or priority adjustments) to prevent future violations, thereby reducing I/O response time loss while managing complexity through automated adaptive control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where service level compliance is continuously monitored through observed I/O response time measurement. This feedback drives automatic resource allocation adjustments - when violations occur, the system responds by modifying resource distribution to corrective actions, creating a self-regulating mechanism that improves response time while containing complexity through closed-loop control.
3Measurement precision
If multiple time segments are tracked for I/O operations, then service level compliance is more accurately measured, but measurement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the I/O operation timeline into distinct measurable segments: internal processing time (within the storage system boundaries) and external processing time (outside the storage system, such as host system processing time). This segmentation enables precise service level compliance measurement by attributing delays to specific system boundaries, while managing measurement complexity through structured tracking of separate time segments with clear definition of what is included and excluded.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for processing I/O operations in a data storage system may include: receiving I/O operations directed to a logical device associated with a service level specifying a target I/O response time goal; receiving a input identifying whether to calculate an observed I/O response time for the logical device using only an internal processing time associated with processing performed within the data storage system when servicing I/O operations directed to the logical device; determining, in accordance with the input and the I/O operations directed to the logical device, the observed I/O response time for the logical device; determining a service level violation for the first logical device whereby the observed I/O response time violates the service level; and responsive to determining the service level violation whereby the observed I/O response time violates the service level, performing processing to alleviate or remove the first service level violation.