Storage Management Computer for Dynamic Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current storage resource management systems fail to effectively allocate storage areas in computer systems by not considering the utilization and performance characteristics of both host and storage devices, leading to inefficient resource allocation and imbalance in resource distribution.
Innovation Solution
A management computer communicates with host and storage devices, using memory and CPU to select storage media based on access characteristics and capacity requirements, generating a configuration scheme for optimal storage area allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If storage areas are allocated by separate host management computer and storage management computer without sharing management information, then each system can independently manage its resources, but allocation efficiency deteriorates because utilization and characteristics of both storage areas cannot be considered simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the management functions of the host management computer and storage management computer into a unified management system. The storage management computer is enhanced to not only manage storage device resources but also to manage and allocate storage areas in the host computer, consolidating previously separate management functions into one system that can make holistic allocation decisions considering both host and storage device characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage management computer is transformed into a universal management system that performs multiple functions: managing storage device resources, managing host computer storage resources, collecting performance information from both sides, and making unified allocation decisions. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate management systems while improving overall allocation efficiency.
2Productivity
If storage areas are allocated without considering access characteristics and performance levels, then allocation process is simplified, but resource utilization deteriorates because high-performance storage media may be underutilized while low-performance media are overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allocating different types of storage media to different workloads based on their specific performance characteristics. The system identifies access patterns (sequential vs. random I/O) and matches them with appropriate storage media types (SSD vs. HDD), ensuring that each storage resource is used for workloads that best utilize its strengths. This creates an optimized allocation where high-performance media handle demanding workloads while lower-performance media handle less demanding tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes allocation parameters based on measured performance characteristics and access patterns. By collecting I/O performance information and analyzing access characteristics, the system adjusts allocation decisions to match current system conditions, transforming static allocation into dynamic, condition-based allocation that optimizes resource utilization.
3Speed
If storage media with different performance levels are mixed without unified management, then system complexity is reduced, but I/O performance deteriorates because access patterns cannot be optimized for different media types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the storage management computer continuously collects I/O performance information from both the storage device and host computer, analyzes access characteristics, and uses this feedback to make informed allocation decisions. The system monitors actual performance and adjusts allocations to optimize I/O speed, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of access characteristics and performance requirements before making allocation decisions. By collecting and analyzing performance information in advance, the system can pre-determine optimal allocation strategies that maximize I/O performance before workloads are assigned, rather than reacting to performance issues after they occur.
Data Source
AI summary
A management computer communicates with a host computer and a storage device, and is provided with a memory and a CPU. The memory stores configuration information which includes information about a plurality of storage media having different performance levels provided in the host computer and the storage device, and which associates storage regions provided by the storage media with the host computer. If the CPU receives a request for allocation of a storage region to the host computer, and which includes information about access characteristics of the host computer and the capacity of the storage region to be allocated, the CPU refers to the configuration information, selects a storage medium that provides a storage region having the requested capacity, from among the storage media and the host computer, and generates and outputs a configuration scheme for allocating a storage region from the selected storage medium to the host computer.