Static Map Routing for Storage Controller Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data storage systems in data centers often route data traffic through non-optimal paths, leading to increased latency due to varying numbers of hops between devices, which affects the efficiency of storage requests in SANs.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that identify and utilize static IP and MAC addresses to create a static map for directing data traffic on the optimal path between storage controllers and computers, overriding traditional link aggregation control protocols to minimize latency by selecting the most efficient data pathway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data traffic is distributed among parallel pathways to increase throughput, then throughput is improved, but latency increases due to varying numbers of hops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network paths by identifying specific optimal paths for each storage controller port to each computer port. Instead of treating all parallel pathways uniformly, the system divides them into segments with different hop counts and selectively routes traffic through the optimal segment for each communication pair, thereby reducing overall latency while maintaining throughput distribution benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the routing parameter from uniform load distribution to hop-count-based optimal path selection. By modifying the routing decision parameter to prioritize paths with fewer hops, the system reduces latency while still utilizing multiple parallel pathways for throughput, effectively resolving the contradiction between these two performance metrics
2Productivity
If traditional link aggregation control protocols are used for load balancing, then throughput is improved, but path optimality deteriorates due to non-optimal routing decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the system identify and store the optimal path information (including hop counts and specific port mappings) for each storage controller and computer pair. This feedback mechanism allows the system to continuously select the optimal path based on pre-calculated metrics, overriding traditional load-balancing protocols that do not consider path optimality, thereby achieving both throughput and path optimality
3Stability of the object's composition
If static IP and MAC addresses are used to create a static map, then path consistency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-identifying and storing the optimal path information in a static map before actual data traffic needs to be routed. The system performs path identification, hop count calculation, and port mapping in advance, creating a ready-to-use static map that simplifies real-time routing decisions. This preliminary preparation reduces the complexity of dynamic path calculation during operation while ensuring consistent optimal path selection
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes identifying, for each port of a storage controller, an optimal path between a port of the storage controller to a computer and identifying a port of the computer connected to the optimal path. Two or more interconnected switches connect the computer and the storage controller. The method includes assigning a static IP address to each port of the storage controller, and transmitting to the computer, for each port of the storage controller, a static MAC address of a port of the storage controller and the corresponding port of the computer that is part of the optimal path between the port of the storage controller and the computer. The computer uses the static MAC addresses and the corresponding ports to create a static map and uses the static map to determine which port of the computer to use to service a storage request.