Storage Cluster Workload Balancing via Dynamic Resource Tracking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In cloud computing, heterogeneous storage systems face challenges in balancing parallel and serial workloads, leading to inefficient resource allocation and performance limitations, as existing methods rely on manual calculations or back-of-the-envelope estimates, failing to optimize resource utilization across multiple servers.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that tracks resource utilization across storage servers to determine the optimal layout for processing I/O requests, balancing serial and parallel workloads by migrating workloads between servers based on tracked resource utilization, ensuring maximum resource utilization and performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual allocation or back-of-the-envelope calculations are used for resource allocation in parallel file system architecture, then device complexity is reduced, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation complexityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service through automated resource allocation where the storage system autonomously monitors workload characteristics, tracks resource utilization across storage servers, and dynamically allocates resources without manual intervention. The system services itself by automatically balancing serial and parallel I/O workloads based on real-time conditions, eliminating the need for manual calculations while maintaining high resource utilization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring and tracking resource utilization metrics across storage servers. This feedback loop enables the system to detect workload patterns, assess current resource allocation effectiveness, and automatically adjust allocations to optimize performance. The feedback-driven approach ensures high resource utilization while maintaining manageable complexity through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If serial I/O workloads are concentrated on specific storage servers, then ease of operation is improved, but bandwidth utilization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkload management simplicityVSAvoidbandwidth utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies segmentation by dividing serial I/O workloads across multiple storage servers rather than concentrating them on a single server. This segmentation is achieved through automated layout determination that distributes workloads based on tracked resource utilization, ensuring that bandwidth resources are充分利用 across the storage cluster while maintaining simplified operational management through centralized control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic workload distribution where the allocation of serial I/O workloads to storage servers is not static but continuously adjusted based on real-time resource utilization tracking. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize bandwidth utilization by migrating workloads between servers as conditions change, while maintaining ease of operation through automated management without requiring manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Power

If parallel I/O workloads are distributed across multiple storage servers, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoidworkload distribution complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies universality by implementing a single automated resource allocation mechanism that handles both serial and parallel I/O workload distribution across storage servers. This multi-functional approach optimizes bandwidth utilization for different workload types without requiring separate complex management systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high bandwidth utilization through unified intelligent control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If resource allocation is performed without tracking utilization, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveallocation management simplicityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by automatically tracking resource utilization across storage servers and using this information to dynamically allocate resources. This automated tracking and allocation process maintains ease of operation through centralized management while significantly improving productivity by ensuring resources are allocated based on actual utilization needs rather than static or manual assignments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms through continuous resource utilization tracking that informs automated allocation decisions. This feedback loop enables the system to maintain simple operational management while optimizing resource utilization efficiency, as the tracking information drives automatic adjustments without requiring complex manual intervention or reducing operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10243872B2Management of storage cluster performance with hybrid workloads
Publication Date: 2019.03.26 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • US10243872B2 patent drawing
  • US10243872B2 patent drawing
  • US10243872B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Embodiments relate to management of hybrid workloads in a shared pool of configurable computer resources. Resource utilization in the shared pool is dynamically tracked, and employed for assessing a set of servers a parallel access protocol should utilize for one or more I/O requests in conjunction with any serial workload optimizations. Accordingly, the load balancing embodies a diverse set of workloads to support dynamic and equitable allocation.