Automatic Storage Configuration Pattern Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Application operators face difficulties in configuring optimal data copy configurations for cloud systems, particularly in meeting various requirement patterns without predefining each configuration, and lack knowledge of actual data placement and backup locations, leading to inefficiencies in planning the most efficient copy configuration.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that create volumes and manage storage configurations for applications, extract and evaluate possible configuration patterns based on data and storage information, and provide configurations that satisfy specified requirements, allowing users to select or automatically configure the most suitable pattern for application continuity and data migration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If application operators manually configure data copy configurations for each requirement pattern, then configuration precision can be optimized, but the complexity and time required increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration precisionVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically extracts configuration patterns from actual data placement and backup configurations, evaluates them against requirement patterns, and provides recommended configurations without requiring manual expert intervention. The system serves itself by leveraging existing operational data to generate optimal configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-extracts and stores configuration patterns from historical data placements and backup configurations before they are needed. When configuration requests are made, the system retrieves and evaluates these pre-prepared patterns, significantly reducing the time and complexity of the configuration process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If application operators are provided with access to detailed data placement and backup location information, then configuration accuracy improves, but the information overload and planning complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidinformation management burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the essential configuration patterns from the vast amount of data placement and backup location information. Instead of presenting all raw data, it identifies and extracts meaningful patterns that can be directly applied to configuration requirements, reducing information overload while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system acts as an intermediary between the complex underlying data placement/backup infrastructure and the application operators. It translates detailed technical information into simplified, evaluable configuration patterns, shielding operators from information complexity while providing actionable insights.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the system provides automated configuration pattern extraction and evaluation, then operational agility improves, but the extent of automation requires sophisticated algorithms that increase initial complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational agilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a universal configuration pattern extraction and evaluation framework that can handle multiple requirement patterns and data types through a single integrated mechanism. This multi-functional approach achieves high operational agility while managing complexity through reuse of core components across different scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If pre-defined configuration patterns are provided for common requirements, then ease of operation improves, but adaptability to new or unique requirement patterns decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration easeVSAvoidrequirement pattern adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains a dynamic configuration pattern library that evolves based on extracted patterns from actual data placements and backup configurations. Rather than using static pre-defined patterns, the system continuously adapts its pattern repository to reflect current operational realities, enabling both ease of operation and adaptability to new requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12164389B2Automatic copy configuration

Publication Date: 2024.12.10 HITACHI VANTARA LTD

AI summary

Example implementations described herein involve systems and methods that can include, responsive to a request to deploy an application using a storage of a storage system, managing a storage configuration for the application; managing data information and storage configuration information associated with a copy relationship between data used by the application and the storage configuration for the storage system; extracting and evaluating possible configuration patterns from the data information and the storage configuration information; and providing ones of the possible configuration patterns that satisfy specified requirements for the application.