Storage System Configuration Proposals Using Availability Models

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a demand for ensuring storage system availability without the need for skilled engineers, as there is a shortage of such professionals capable of configuring systems to meet specified availability levels.

Innovation Solution

A system configuration proposal apparatus that includes a processor and storage device to identify storage system candidates that meet user-defined availability levels, using failure and repair probability data tables, system model data, and Markov chain models to calculate and display optimal system configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a storage system configuration is designed to achieve high availability, then the availability level is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability levelVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically calculates availability levels and determines optimal configurations without requiring manual intervention from skilled engineers. The processor autonomously evaluates multiple configuration options based on predefined criteria and user requirements, enabling the system to serve itself in finding solutions rather than relying on expert human operators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of configuration design by skilled engineers with an automated computational system. The processor uses algorithms to evaluate availability levels and determine optimal configurations, substituting human expert judgment with automated calculation and analysis systems that can process multiple scenarios simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual configuration design by skilled engineers is used, then appropriate system configurations can be achieved, but the loss of time increases due to shortage of skilled engineers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration appropriatenessVSAvoidconfiguration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automated availability evaluation and configuration recommendation without requiring skilled engineers to manually analyze and design configurations. The processor independently evaluates multiple configuration options and generates recommendations, enabling the system to serve the configuration need autonomously and rapidly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-calculates and stores availability level information for multiple storage system configurations in advance. When a user requests a configuration, the system can quickly retrieve and evaluate pre-computed data rather than performing calculations from scratch, significantly reducing the time required to provide configuration recommendations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If automated configuration proposal is implemented, then the productivity is improved, but the measurement precision of availability level decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration proposal efficiencyVSAvoidavailability level evaluation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where availability level information is calculated based on actual system performance data and configuration parameters. The processor continuously evaluates configurations against user requirements and availability targets, using feedback from the evaluation results to refine and improve configuration recommendations iteratively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs sophisticated automated calculation systems that use algorithms and computational models to evaluate availability levels with high precision. The processor performs complex mathematical calculations and simulations to assess configuration options, replacing simplified automated approaches with advanced computational methods that maintain accuracy while improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250328254A1System configuration proposal apparatus, system configuration proposal method, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2025.10.23 HITACHI VANTARA LTD

AI summary

A server for proposing information related to a system configuration for a storage system to a user is provided. The server includes a processor and a memory, the memory is configured to store an availability correlation data table including availability level information related to an availability level for a plurality of storage systems, and the processor is configured to accept a condition including an availability level requested of a storage system by the user, identify a storage system candidate that satisfies the availability level included in the condition on the basis of the availability level information, and output information related to a system configuration for the identified storage system candidate.