Storage Control Unit Automating Host Group and Volume Path Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In environments where multiple OS types coexist, configuring storage systems with Software Defined Storage (SDS) products is cumbersome due to the need for manual configuration of host groups, volume linking, and initiator linking, which becomes increasingly burdensome as the scale of the storage system grows.
Innovation Solution
A storage apparatus and control method that automatically creates host groups based on OS types, dynamically allocates volumes, and configures volume paths to facilitate I/O processing, reducing the need for manual configuration by using a storage control unit to manage I/O requests and allocate physical storage areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual configuration of host groups, volume linking, and initiator linking is performed for each OS type, then the storage system can process I/O requests from multiple OS types correctly, but the configuration work becomes increasingly burdensome as the storage system scale increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage control unit automatically performs host group creation, volume path configuration, and function assignment based on the OS type of each host apparatus. The system self-configures by detecting the host OS type and autonomously creating appropriate volume paths and allocating functions without requiring manual administrator intervention for each configuration item.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage control unit pre-configures multiple host groups corresponding to different OS types in advance, and automatically selects and applies the appropriate configuration when a host connects. This preliminary preparation of configuration templates allows the system to rapidly adapt to new hosts without manual reconfiguration.
2Productivity
If the number of storage nodes and host apparatuses is increased dynamically (scale-out), then the storage system capacity and functionality are enhanced, but the configuration work increases proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
When new storage nodes or host apparatuses are added to the system, the storage control unit automatically detects them, determines their OS type, creates appropriate host group memberships, and configures volume paths without requiring manual configuration. This self-service capability enables rapid scale-out operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes configuration templates for different OS types and storage node types. When scaling out, new components are automatically matched to appropriate pre-configured templates, eliminating the need for manual configuration and enabling rapid system expansion.
3Ease of operation
If automatic host group creation and volume path configuration is implemented, then configuration work is simplified and administrative burden is reduced, but the system must automatically detect and process host OS types
Solution Approach 1:
The storage control unit automatically detects the OS type of each host apparatus through interface protocols and autonomously creates host groups, configures volume paths, and assigns functions based on the detected OS type. This self-service approach simplifies user operations while the underlying automatic detection mechanism handles the complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage control unit acts as an intermediary between the host apparatus and the storage devices, automatically translating host OS type information into appropriate storage configuration parameters. This intermediary function shields users from complexity while enabling automatic adaptation.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage control unit which processes an I/O request from a host apparatus is provided in the storage apparatus and the storage control unit creates a host group by mapping same to each supported OS type and configures a function according to the corresponding OS type for each of the host groups, creates a first volume on the storage apparatus and creates a second volume to which a physical storage area is dynamically allocated from a storage device, according to a volume creation instruction, and the storage control unit creates, according to an instruction to create a volume path from the first volume to the second volume, a volume path which passes through a third volume which is interposed between the first volume and second volume and has been allocated to the host group according to the OS type of the host apparatus provided by the first volume.