Storage Discovery Controller Using Tokens for Selective Device Enumeration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing discovery mechanisms for data storage devices in networked storage systems require hosts to connect to each device individually, leading to inefficiencies and challenges in managing dynamic environments with frequent device additions, removals, or reconfigurations.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing configuration tokens in discovery commands to selectively discover and connect to subsets of data storage devices, including a controller circuit with a processor to receive and compare token values, determine device entries, and return a discovery log, enabling efficient management of storage devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If hosts connect to each storage device individually to ascertain features and configurations, then complete device information is obtained, but the discovery process becomes time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple device feature fields (serial number, model number, capacity, etc.) into a single hash value that serves as a unique device identifier. This merging of multiple information gathering operations into one consolidated identifier resolution process eliminates the need for hosts to connect to each device individually, thereby obtaining complete device information while significantly reducing discovery time.
2Quantity of substance
If discovery mechanisms enumerate all storage devices, then comprehensive device lists are provided, but management efficiency decreases in large-scale deployments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential identifying features from storage devices and condenses them into a compact hash value. This extracted identifier can be efficiently stored, transmitted, and matched, allowing hosts to quickly identify and connect to specific devices without processing complete device enumerations, thus improving management efficiency while maintaining the ability to discover all devices when needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If discovery controllers provide detailed device information, then hosts can make informed connection decisions, but the complexity of discovery logs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms multiple device parameter fields into a single hash value parameter. This parameter transformation maintains the adaptability of host selection capabilities because the hash value uniquely identifies devices and can be combined with other selection criteria, while simultaneously reducing the complexity of discovery logs by eliminating the need to store and transmit redundant detailed device information in the log structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for a discovery controller configured with feature discovery for exposed data storage devices. The discovery controller may receive a discovery command from a host system that includes a token value, where the token values map to different storage device configurations among the exposed storage devices. The discovery controller compares the received token value to device token values for each of the storage devices to select the storage devices with matching token values. The discovery controller then generates a discovery log that includes device entries for only those devices with the matching token values and sends it to the host system for selecting storage devices to connect to.