Storage Architecture Switching With Dual-Mode Controllers And Drives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage architectures are inflexible and costly to switch between centralized and distributed configurations, requiring the purchase of new hardware when transitioning between storage modes.
Innovation Solution
A storage system with detachable connectors and dual-mode capable control devices and drives, allowing flexible configuration and mode switching without purchasing new hardware, by controlling the communication status of connectors to adapt to centralized or distributed architectures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the centralized storage architecture is switched to the distributed storage architecture, then the storage architecture flexibility is improved, but the cost increases due to purchasing new integrated drive controllers and drives
Solution Approach 1:
The drive controller and drive are designed to support multiple storage architectures (centralized and distributed) through configurable connection modes. The drive controller can operate in a first working mode for centralized architecture and a second working mode for distributed architecture, allowing the same hardware to serve multiple functions without requiring separate dedicated equipment for each architecture type.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection relationship between the drive controller and drive is made dynamic and reconfigurable rather than fixed. The system can switch between different connection configurations (first connection configuration for centralized, second connection configuration for distributed) based on operational requirements, enabling flexible adaptation without physical hardware changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If new drive controllers and drives are purchased to switch storage architectures, then the storage architecture can be changed, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing drive controller and drive are designed to perform multiple functions across different storage architectures. By configuring the same hardware components to support both centralized and distributed modes through software or control logic changes, the system avoids the complexity of managing multiple specialized hardware systems while maintaining architectural flexibility.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the drive controller and drive are fixedly connected, then the connection stability is improved, but the storage architecture flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between drive controller and drive is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable rather than statically fixed. The system can switch between different connection configurations (first and second connection configurations) based on the required storage architecture mode, allowing stable connections during operation while enabling architectural transitions when needed.
Data Source
Figure 1A~2A
Figure 2B~3A
Figure 3B~3C
AI summary
A storage system and a method for switching a working mode of a storage system are provided. The storage system includes M control devices, N first connectors, N second connectors, and K drives, the M control devices may be detachably connected to the N first connectors, and the K drives may be detachably connected to the N second connectors, so that a user can flexibly configure a connection relationship between a drive and a control device based on a use requirement, to constitute different storage architectures. In addition, the M control devices and the K drives both support two working modes, so that when a storage architecture needs to be changed, only working modes of the control device and the drive need to be switched or the drive needs to be changed, and a new control device and a new drive do not need to be purchased. This improves flexibility of the storage system and reduces storage architecture switching costs.