Protocol Independent Storage Discovery Manager Node
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cloud protocols are unable to discover all storage devices within a cloud environment, as existing storage device driver discovery processes are limited and do not account for various storage types and protocols, leading to incomplete inventory and resource utilization challenges.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for Ethernet protocol-independent storage device discovery, where a manager node emulates multiple cloud nodes, discovers other nodes by receiving reply frames, requests and logs storage device information, and sends this information to a network manager to determine which devices to enable, utilizing techniques across different protocol layers such as Layer 2, Layer 2.5, Layer 3, and SAN protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If storage device driver discovery processes are used to inventory storage devices, then some storage devices can be discovered, but not all storage devices available within the cloud environment are discovered
Solution Approach 1:
The discovery process is segmented into multiple layers: Layer 2 Ethernet protocol discovery, Layer 2.5 discovery, Layer 3 discovery, and SAN protocol discovery. Each layer handles specific protocol types, allowing comprehensive coverage across diverse storage protocols without requiring a single universal discovery mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
A manager node is introduced as an intermediary between cloud nodes and storage devices. The manager node emulates cloud nodes to send discovery frames and receives reply frames, then aggregates storage device information from multiple protocols and presents a unified inventory to the cloud environment
2Adaptability or versatility
If cloud protocols support multiple storage types (block and file system), then versatility is improved, but the ability to discover all storage devices is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The manager node performs multiple functions: it emulates cloud nodes, sends discovery frames across different protocol layers, receives and processes reply frames, aggregates storage device information, and provides unified inventory management. This multi-functional approach enables comprehensive discovery across block storage, file system storage, and other storage types through a single system
Solution Approach 2:
The discovery approach adds dimensional depth by operating across multiple protocol layers (Layer 2, Layer 2.5, Layer 3, and SAN protocols) rather than relying on a single protocol layer. This multi-dimensional discovery strategy ensures that storage devices accessible through different protocol stacks are all discovered and inventoried
Data Source
AI summary
A manager node provides discovery, translation, and mapping services for supported Ethernet protocol layers. The manager node discovers other nodes within the cloud environment and issues commands to each of the discovered nodes to obtain storage device specific information associated to storage devices communicatively connected to the discovered nodes. The storage device information obtained may include such things as device function (initiator or target), device model number, device capacity, and available storage (free), etc. When the manager node has gathered the storage device specific information it makes available to a management application a list of all feasible storage devices that could be utilized within the cloud environment. The management application determines which of the discovered storage devices will be enabled. Subsequently, the manager node serves as an address translator and a gateway between protocols.