Smart Storage Module Exclusion in Mesh Clusters
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mesh storage clusters, the existing method for selecting a storage module to exclude upon connection failure is not optimized, often leading to performance degradation, as it relies solely on the first storage module complaining about a broken connection without considering the functional contributions of both modules.
Innovation Solution
A smart selection method is implemented where exclusion criteria such as accessibility, battery backup unit availability, data path latency, vault device availability, and host adapter state are evaluated for both storage modules, with a selection engine determining which module to exclude based on weighted criteria to minimize performance impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the first storage module that complains of broken connection is automatically excluded, then the system can quickly respond to connection failures, but the cluster performance may be degraded because the excluded module might be the one with better functional contributions
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the decision parameter from a simple first-complainer rule to a multi-criteria evaluation system that considers accessibility, battery backup availability, data path latency, vault device availability, and host adapter state. This transforms the exclusion decision from a time-efficient but performance-damaging approach to a balanced approach that maintains both quick response and cluster performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring multiple parameters of both storage modules and using this information to make informed exclusion decisions. The cluster manager gathers status information from both modules and uses this feedback to determine which module should be excluded, rather than simply excluding the first one to complain.
2Device complexity
If the first complaining storage module is excluded, then the implementation is simple and quick, but the decision may not be optimized considering the functional contributions of both modules
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms the exclusion decision from a single-parameter (first complainer) approach to a multi-parameter evaluation system. By considering accessibility, battery backup unit availability, data path latency, vault device availability, and host adapter state, the system improves decision quality while managing complexity through structured evaluation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of multiple criteria before making the exclusion decision. The cluster manager assesses various parameters of both storage modules in advance, preparing a comprehensive view that enables optimized exclusion decisions rather than reactive exclusions based solely on complaint timing.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a computer program product, computer system, and method for smart selection of a storage module to be excluded when a connection between two storage modules is broken. An indication is received from a first storage module that a connection between the first storage module and a second storage module is broken. In response to determining that the second storage module is accessible, values of exclusion criteria for the first storage module are determined and summed to identify a first exclusion total. Then, values of exclusion criteria for the second storage module are determined and summed to identify a second exclusion total. In response to determining that the first exclusion total exceeds the second exclusion total, the second storage node is excluded from the cluster. In response to determining that the second exclusion total exceeds the first exclusion total, the first storage node is excluded from the cluster.