Storage Controller Migration Discovery via Broadcast

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In information handling systems, the relocation of physical storage resources often leads to degraded virtual storage resources due to unexpected removal or misplacement, resulting in lengthy rebuild times and data loss, as current systems lack efficient mechanisms to manage and coordinate storage resource migration across multiple systems.

Innovation Solution

A storage controller system that broadcasts requests to determine if a relocated physical storage resource is available in another information handling system, allowing it to operate in concert with the new system to utilize the data, thereby reducing rebuild times and maintaining data integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a physical storage resource is removed from a first information handling system and installed in a second information handling system, then the storage resource can be utilized by the second system, but the virtual storage resource in the first system enters a degraded state requiring lengthy rebuild times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage resource utilizationVSAvoidrebuild time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by broadcasting a removal notification from the first information handling system before the physical storage resource is fully utilized by the second system. This advance notification allows the second system to prepare for potential resource integration, preventing the need for lengthy rebuild operations later.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the second information handling system responds to the removal notification by checking for the presence of the physical storage resource and communicating its status back to the first system. This feedback loop enables coordinated decision-making about resource integration, allowing the systems to work together to minimize degraded state duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If a physical storage resource is relocated to a second information handling system without coordination, then the second system can use the storage resource, but data integrity and redundancy are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage resource flexibilityVSAvoiddata integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the operations of multiple information handling systems by having them communicate and coordinate through broadcast messages and responses. The first and second systems work together as a unified entity when managing the relocated physical storage resource, ensuring that data integrity and redundancy requirements are maintained through coordinated action rather than independent operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The broadcast message mechanism serves multiple functions: it notifies other systems of the removal, provides an opportunity for the second system to claim the resource, and initiates a coordination protocol. This multi-functional approach allows a single communication event to address multiple concerns including resource tracking, redundancy management, and system coordination simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If current systems lack migration coordination mechanisms, then storage resources can be moved freely between systems, but virtual storage resources enter degraded states with data loss risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage resource mobilityVSAvoiddata loss risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary communication protocol consisting of broadcast messages and responses that mediates between the first and second information handling systems during resource relocation. This intermediary mechanism ensures that data loss risks are mitigated by coordinating the migration process, while still allowing storage resources to move freely between systems. The broadcast message acts as a mediator that enables safe resource mobility through structured communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9740401B2Systems and methods for physical storage resource migration discovery

Publication Date: 2017.08.22 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a system may include a storage controller for managing virtual storage resources and physical storage resources of one or more information handling systems. The storage controller may be configured to, responsive to removal of a physical storage resource owned by the storage controller from a first information handling system broadcast a request to one or more other information handling systems to determine if the physical storage resource has been relocated to a second information handling system. The storage controller may also be configured to, responsive to receiving a reply from the second information handling system indicating that the physical storage resource has been relocated to the second information handling system, operate in concert with a second storage controller of the second information handling system to use the data of the physical storage resource.