Automated Storage Device Labeling via Attribute Matching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In distributed computing systems, especially during the installation of computer clusters, there is a need to determine the purpose of unformatted storage devices to facilitate automated identification, partitioning, and formatting, as existing methods rely on pre-assigned labels which are not applicable to raw devices.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that identifies storage devices without labels, determines their attributes, matches them to intended uses based on a configuration file, generates labels, and applies these labels to enable automated partitioning and formatting, allowing for persistent mapping in the file system structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automated installation is implemented without pre-assigned labels, then installation automation and productivity are improved, but the ability to accurately identify and distinguish storage devices is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting storage devices before installation, determining their attributes (size, WWN), and pre-assigning labels based on configuration files. This preliminary labeling enables subsequent automated partitioning and formatting without requiring pre-assigned physical labels on the devices themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary labeling mechanism that bridges the gap between unlabelled storage devices and the automated installation system. The label acts as an intermediary identifier that connects device attributes to their intended用途, enabling automated recognition without requiring pre-assigned permanent labels on the hardware.
2Ease of operation
If storage devices are identified without pre-assigned labels, then ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases due to need for attribute matching
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by enabling storage devices to be automatically identified and labeled through their own inherent attributes (size, WWN) without requiring external pre-assigned labels or manual intervention. The configuration file serves as a reference that the system uses to automatically match and label devices based on their self-reported characteristics.
3Manufacturing precision
If attributes are determined and matched to configuration files, then manufacturing precision and device-purpose matching are improved, but measurement and detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by detecting and comparing specific parameters of storage devices (size, WWN) against parameters defined in configuration files. This parameter-based matching approach enables precise device-purpose assignment by transforming the identification problem into a parameter comparison task, where devices are matched to their intended用途 based on attribute equivalence.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a computer-implemented method includes: identifying a plurality of storage devices accessible to a node of a computer cluster, the storage devices being identified as not having labels; determining one or more attributes of individual ones of the storage devices; determining, by the node, intended uses of the storage devices based on comparing the determined attributes to attributes defined within a configuration file; and generating labels for the storage devices based in least in part on the determined intended uses; and applying the labels to the storage devices.