Storage Array Virtual Volume Access via Mapping Table

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional hosts are unable to access virtual volumes, requiring expensive special servers and significant investment in new test utilities, limiting the use of previous testing tools.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that enable traditional hosts to access virtual volumes on a storage array by receiving commands, extracting a virtual volume index, and using a table to determine the logical unit for executing read or write commands, allowing existing testing tools to be used without new tool design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional hosts are used to access virtual volumes, then compatibility and ease of operation are improved, but the system cannot access virtual volumes without additional special servers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehost accessibility to virtual volumesVSAvoidsystem architecture requiring special servers

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mapping table as an intermediary data structure that enables traditional hosts to access virtual volumes. The mapping table stores associations between virtual volume indices and logical unit numbers (LUNs), allowing the host to translate virtual volume references into physical storage locations without requiring special server hardware. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple host architecture while enabling virtual volume access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If special servers are deployed to access virtual volumes, then functionality is improved, but cost and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirtual volume access capabilityVSAvoidspecial server requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes traditional hosts universal by enabling them to perform both conventional storage access and virtual volume access through the same host interface. The mapping table mechanism allows the host to handle multiple types of storage operations (traditional LUN access and virtual volume access) without requiring specialized servers, thus achieving multi-functionality and reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If new test utilities are developed to work with virtual volumes, then testing capability is improved, but development time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting tool compatibilityVSAvoidtool development time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the traditional storage access interface through the mapping table mechanism. By presenting virtual volumes through the same command structure and interface that traditional hosts use for conventional storage, existing testing tools can operate on virtual volumes without modification. This copying approach allows legacy test utilities to be reused, saving significant development time and resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10216433B2Accessing a virtual volume on a storage array

Publication Date: 2019.02.26 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

In one aspect, a method includes receiving, at a storage array, a command to a virtual volume from a host, extracting a virtual volume index from the command; reading a table using the virtual volume index to determine the logical unit where the virtual volume is stored and executing the command at the logical unit with the virtual volume. The command is one of a read command to read data from the virtual volume or a write command to write data to the virtual volume.