Storage Processor Access Rights Allocation via Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
In dual controller storage systems, allocating access rights to data in caches among multiple storage processors is challenging, leading to accessibility conflicts and potential data corruption, especially when using existing Share Write and Virtual Reference technologies, which compromise performance and reliability.
Innovation Solution
The method employs a current accessibility indicator and an access right indicator to determine the state of data accessibility, allowing storage processors to allocate access rights and manage storage units, reducing conflicts and data copying by writing data into temporary storage units when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cache mirroring technology is employed to ensure data security, then data reliability is improved, but accessibility conflicts and device complexity increase among multiple storage processors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an access right indicator as an intermediary mechanism between multiple storage processors and the cached data. This indicator explicitly tracks which storage processor has access rights to each storage unit, mediating access conflicts without requiring complex inter-processor negotiation protocols. The intermediary simplifies the access control architecture while maintaining data security through controlled access paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage processors autonomously determine their access rights by checking the access right indicator associated with each storage unit, without requiring external arbitration or complex coordination with other processors. Each processor independently evaluates the indicator state and proceeds with access operations accordingly, enabling self-service access control that reduces system complexity.
2Reliability
If access rights are strictly allocated among storage processors, then data consistency is improved, but accessibility conflicts and loss of time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes access rights for storage processors before actual data access operations occur. The access right indicator is configured in advance to reflect the intended access permissions, allowing storage processors to immediately execute read or write operations without time-consuming runtime negotiations or permission checks. This preliminary allocation eliminates access delays while maintaining consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The access right indicator dynamically adapts to different access scenarios by representing multiple states (e.g., read access granted, write access granted, no access). This dynamic representation allows the system to flexibly accommodate various access patterns and data consistency requirements without imposing rigid access restrictions that would cause time losses.
3Productivity
If data is written into temporary storage units to reduce copying, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and loss of time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage architecture into cached storage units and temporary storage units, each serving distinct functional purposes. Cached storage units hold primary data with associated access right indicators, while temporary storage units serve as auxiliary buffers for data staging. This segmentation enables efficient data access patterns without requiring complex management of a unified storage space, as each segment has clearly defined access rules.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method, device and computer readable medium for managing storage. The method comprises: in response to obtaining, at a first storage processor, an access request for a storage unit, determining whether the storage unit is currently accessible, the storage unit including at least one storage area. The method further comprises: in response to the storage unit being currently inaccessible, determining whether the first storage processor has an access right to the storage unit. In addition, the method further comprises: in response to the first storage processor having no access right, requesting a second storage processor for the access right, the second storage processor being associated with a mirror storage unit of the storage unit, and the first and second storage processors having exclusive write access rights.