SMB Service Failover via File Handle Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing SMB service systems face interruptions when a storage device fails, as the secondary storage device lacks the necessary file handle to respond to file open instructions, leading to service disruptions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves generating a file handle by the primary storage device, sending it to a secondary storage device as a backup handle, and using a handle identifier to ensure seamless service continuation when the primary device fails, allowing the secondary device to recover and maintain SMB service without interruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a file handle is generated and stored only in the primary storage device, then the storage device structure is simple, but the SMB service is interrupted when the primary storage device fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the primary storage device send the file handle to the secondary storage device in advance, before any failure occurs. This ensures that when the primary storage device fails, the secondary storage device already possesses the necessary file handle to immediately take over and maintain SMB service continuity without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements copying by creating a duplicate of the file handle in the secondary storage device. The file handle is copied from the primary storage device to the secondary storage device, enabling the secondary device to assume the primary device's responsibilities in case of failure, thus ensuring service reliability without requiring complex structural changes.
2Reliability
If the secondary storage device does not have the file handle, then the system is simpler to operate, but the file cannot be accessed when the primary storage device fails
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-distributing the file handle to the secondary storage device before any failure occurs. This eliminates the need for complex failure-time operations, as the secondary device is already prepared with the necessary file handle to immediately access files when the primary device fails, simplifying the operational process during failure scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The file handle acts as an intermediary that bridges the primary and secondary storage devices. By sending the file handle to the secondary storage device, the system creates a mediator mechanism that enables seamless file access transition between devices, ensuring file access reliability without complicating the operational interface for users.
3Reliability
If the file handle is backed up to the secondary storage device, then the SMB service can continue without interruption, but the system uses more memory resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by sending the file handle to the secondary storage device in advance, ensuring SMB service continuity is prepared beforehand. This approach accepts the memory resource cost as a necessary trade-off for achieving service continuity, as the file handle must be stored somewhere to enable failover capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying to duplicate the file handle in the secondary storage device. This creates a redundant copy that enables service continuity but inevitably increases memory resource usage. The copying mechanism is a direct implementation of the failover strategy, where the cost of additional memory is exchanged for the benefit of uninterrupted SMB service.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses an SMB service fault processing method, including: generating, by a first storage device, a file handle according to a first file open instruction sent by a host, and sending the file handle to a second storage device; saving, by the second storage device, the file handle as a backup handle; activating, by the second storage device, an IP address of the first storage device according to fault information sent by the first storage device, and establishing a communication connection to the host; and determining, by the second storage device according to a handle identifier in a second file open instruction sent by the host, a file handle corresponding to the handle identifier, opening a file according to the file handle, and sending an operation result to the host. The present invention further provides a host and a storage array that can implement the foregoing method. In the present invention, when a storage device that processes an SMB service is faulty, the SMB service may be taken over by a secondary storage device, so that the SMB service is executed without interruption.