Shared Storage Device Allocation for Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In storage systems, high-speed devices like SSDs can outperform CPU processing capabilities, leading to resource underutilization, and existing technologies face challenges in managing access rights and load balancing across storage systems, particularly when low-speed storage devices are involved.
Innovation Solution
A shared device unit is coupled to multiple storage systems, with each system storing allocation management information and dynamically reallocating storage areas based on performance monitoring to balance load and optimize resource usage without requiring new hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If high-speed storage devices like SSDs are mounted in a storage system, then storage processing performance is improved, but CPU processing capability becomes a bottleneck and resource utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments storage systems into multiple storage control apparatuses, each managing specific volumes. This segmentation allows high-speed storage devices to be distributed across multiple control units, preventing any single CPU from becoming a bottleneck while maintaining efficient access to fast storage resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a management-source apparatus as an intermediary that coordinates volume allocation and management across multiple storage control apparatuses. This intermediary enables efficient resource sharing and load distribution, allowing high-speed storage devices to be fully utilized without overloading any single CPU.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a management-source apparatus like a route control apparatus or host computer is used to alternate storage control apparatuses, then volume management is achieved, but the management-source apparatus becomes a bottleneck in I/O command flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the volume management function from the host computer or route control apparatus and places it directly in the storage control apparatus. This extraction eliminates the management-source apparatus as a bottleneck, allowing I/O commands to flow directly between hosts and storage devices without unnecessary intermediary processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage control apparatus performs volume management autonomously without requiring external management-source apparatus intervention. Each storage control apparatus independently manages its allocated volumes, making decisions locally to maintain high I/O throughput while achieving effective volume management.
3Speed
If high-speed storage devices are used, then storage performance is improved, but operating costs increase due to the higher price of these devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional storage system where high-speed storage devices can be dynamically allocated to serve multiple different volumes and applications across various storage control apparatuses. This universal sharing of expensive high-speed resources maximizes their utilization, reducing the need to purchase additional high-speed devices and thereby lowering overall operating costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A shared device unit, which comprises a storage device, is coupled to a plurality of storage systems. The shared device unit provides a plurality of storage areas, which are based on the storage device, to the plurality of storage systems. Each storage system stores allocation management information which comprises an ID of a storage area provided to thereof among the plurality of storage areas, and provides the storage area corresponded to the ID included in the allocation management information to the host computer coupled thereto among the plurality of host computers.