Storage Blade Reconfiguration for Independent Resource Scaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage systems require scaling both processing and storage resources together, limiting the ability to tailor the system to specific user needs.

Innovation Solution

A storage system is dynamically configured to allow independent scaling of resources by detecting changes in topology and reallocating resources to authorities, such as adding or removing blades with different capacities and types, and adjusting resource allocations accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If storage resources are scaled, then storage capacity is improved, but processing resources must also be scaled simultaneously which increases system complexity and cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into independent blade modules, each containing both storage and processing resources. This segmentation allows individual blades to be scaled independently, breaking the coupling between storage and processing resource scaling while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic resource allocation where processing resources are not permanently bound to specific storage resources. Instead, processing resources can be dynamically assigned to different storage blades based on current workload demands, enabling flexible scaling without requiring simultaneous scaling of both resource types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If storage resources are scaled independently from processing resources, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but resource utilization efficiency may worsen due to potential mismatches between storage and processing capacities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors resource utilization metrics and dynamically adjusts resource allocation based on feedback from actual workload patterns. This feedback mechanism ensures that independent scaling of storage and processing resources does not lead to inefficiency, as the system automatically optimizes allocation to match actual demands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters dynamically, adjusting the allocation of processing resources to storage resources based on current workload conditions. This allows the system to maintain high utilization efficiency even when storage and processing resources are scaled independently, as parameters are continuously optimized to match actual usage patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system is configured to allow independent scaling of storage and processing resources, then adaptability to user needs is improved, but system reconfiguration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetailoring to user needsVSAvoidreconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the system into standardized, independent blade modules, the patent simplifies reconfiguration tasks. Each blade is a self-contained unit that can be added, removed, or reconfigured without affecting other blades, reducing the overall complexity of system reconfiguration while maintaining high adaptability to user needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4459475B1Dynamically configuring a storage system to facilitate independent scaling of resources
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 PURE STORAGE INC
  • EP4459475B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4459475B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4459475B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Dynamically configuring a storage system to facilitate independent scaling of resources, including: detecting a change to a topology of the storage system consisting of different sets of blades configured within one of a plurality of chassis; and reconfiguring the storage system to change an allocation of resources to one or more authorities responsive to detecting the change to the topology of the storage system.