In-band Storage Array Certification via Virtualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for certifying in-band management applications of external storage arrays on different operating systems require extensive hardware and manual troubleshooting, leading to high costs and inefficiencies due to the need for iterative testing across multiple platforms.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves generating and capturing symbol calls and responses over a fibre channel network, using a device to store and interpret these calls, thereby eliminating the need for additional hardware and reducing resource requirements by allowing testing across various operating systems without duplicating efforts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional approaches are used to certify management software on different OS platforms, then comprehensive testing coverage is achieved, but hardware cost and resource consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the storage array that can be shared across multiple OS platforms. Instead of procuring physical storage arrays for each platform, a single physical array is virtualized to serve multiple testing environments simultaneously, eliminating hardware duplication while maintaining comprehensive testing coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual storage array implementation enables a single hardware resource to serve multiple functions and multiple OS platforms concurrently. The virtualization layer allows the same physical storage array to be accessed by different OS platforms through virtual interfaces, making the hardware resource universal rather than platform-specific
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple storage arrays are procured for testing different OS platforms, then platform-specific testing requirements are met, but cost and maintenance burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than purchasing multiple physical storage arrays for different OS platforms, the patent implements a virtual copy mechanism where a single physical array is presented as multiple virtual arrays to different OS platforms. This copying approach maintains platform compatibility while eliminating the need for duplicate hardware purchases
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtualization layer as an intermediary between the physical storage array and multiple OS platforms. This intermediary enables platform compatibility by translating between different OS interfaces and the underlying physical hardware, eliminating the need for platform-specific hardware while maintaining adaptability
3Reliability
If iterative testing is performed across multiple OS platforms using conventional methods, then certification completeness is achieved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary setup of the virtual storage array environment before actual OS platform testing begins. The virtualization infrastructure is configured in advance to support multiple OS platforms, so that when testing commences, the environment is already prepared and ready for immediate use across different platforms without repeated setup time
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual storage array enables continuous testing across multiple OS platforms without interruption or reconfiguration. Once the virtual environment is established, testing can proceed continuously on different OS platforms using the same virtual infrastructure, eliminating downtime and setup delays between platform tests
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprising the steps of (A) generating a call for a first operating system at a host, (B) sending the call for the first operating system from the host to a storage array over a network, (C) generating a response to the call for the first operating system from the host, (D) sending the response from the storage array to the host over the network and (E) capturing and storing the response in a device.