Shared Volume Reservation in Multi-Node Storage

Solution Overview

Problem

In multiple node data storage systems, simultaneous access to a shared volume by multiple hosts can lead to data corruption, as existing systems do not ensure exclusive access to prevent concurrent usage.

Innovation Solution

A reservation system is implemented, where a host generates a reservation request, which is processed through an event manager and reservation manager to ensure that only one host can access the shared volume at a time, using reservation status tables at each node to manage and maintain the reservation status redundantly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple hosts access a shared volume via multiple nodes simultaneously, then system productivity and access speed are improved, but data integrity deteriorates due to potential data corruption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess speedVSAvoiddata integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by establishing reservation requests before actual volume access. When a host needs to access the shared volume, it first sends a reservation request through the event manager and reservation manager to secure exclusive access rights before any data operations occur, preventing concurrent access conflicts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary components (event manager and reservation manager) that mediate between multiple hosts and the shared volume. These managers process reservation requests, check current volume status, and coordinate access rights, ensuring that only one host can access the volume at a time while maintaining system productivity through structured access control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a single node regulates access to a shared volume, then data integrity is maintained, but system complexity increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the access control function into separate modular components: event manager for receiving and initial processing of reservation requests, reservation manager for coordinating access rights, and reservation status tables for storing access state information. This segmentation distributes complexity across multiple manageable modules rather than concentrating it in a single node, while still ensuring data integrity through coordinated access control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If reservation status is centrally managed, then access control accuracy is improved, but processing resource usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess control accuracyVSAvoidprocessing resource usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by establishing reservation requests before actual volume access. When a host needs to access the shared volume, it first sends a reservation request through the event manager and reservation manager to secure exclusive access rights before any data operations occur, preventing concurrent access conflicts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary components (event manager and reservation manager) that mediate between multiple hosts and the shared volume. These managers process reservation requests, check current volume status, and coordinate access rights, ensuring that only one host can access the volume at a time while maintaining system productivity through structured access control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8103754B1Reserving a shared volume in a multiple node data storage system

Publication Date: 2012.01.24 HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEV LP

AI summary

A method for reserving a shared volume in a multiple node data storage system is disclosed. The method ensures that only one host at a time has access to the shared volume. As a result, the data/information stored in the shared volume cannot become corrupted due to multiple hosts accessing the shared volume at the same time through different nodes.