Storage Management Apparatus Dynamic Path Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer systems managing cross-apparatus pools struggle to distribute I/O load from existing physical storage apparatuses to newly added apparatuses quickly, leading to performance deterioration and instability due to the need to secure storage areas from previously accessed paths and potential additional I/O loads during data migration.
Innovation Solution
A management apparatus and method that dynamically assign storage areas from a logical pool to virtual volumes based on utilization status, monitor performance, and automatically switch access paths to newly added storage apparatuses when performance issues are detected, identifying and addressing the cause of deterioration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If storage areas are secured from previously accessed paths when adding new physical storage apparatuses, then data access stability is maintained, but I/O load distribution to new apparatuses is delayed and system performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic path selection where the system automatically switches from static path assignment to dynamic path selection based on real-time performance monitoring. When performance deterioration is detected, the system dynamically changes the access path to utilize newly added storage apparatuses, resolving the contradiction between maintaining stability and enabling rapid load distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors I/O performance and uses this feedback to determine when to switch access paths. Performance metrics are collected and analyzed, and when deterioration thresholds are met, the system responds by redistributing I/O load to new storage apparatuses, thus maintaining reliability while improving productivity through feedback-driven adaptation.
2Productivity
If data migration is performed to newly added physical storage apparatuses, then I/O load distribution is improved, but additional I/O loads are generated and system performance temporarily deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary performance monitoring and evaluation before initiating data migration. By pre-assessing the conditions and preparing the new storage apparatuses, the system minimizes the impact of migration operations, thus improving load distribution while maintaining performance stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements incremental data migration that skips unnecessary intermediate steps and directly transfers data to new storage apparatuses in an optimized manner. This reduces the duration and intensity of additional I/O loads during migration, thus improving productivity while minimizing temporary performance deterioration.
3Productivity
If access paths are switched to newly added storage apparatuses, then I/O performance is improved, but the cause of performance deterioration may not be identified and system stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous performance monitoring that provides feedback on I/O operations. When performance deterioration occurs, the monitoring system identifies the cause by analyzing performance metrics and error patterns, ensuring that path switching is based on accurate diagnostic information rather than assumptions, thus maintaining system stability while improving performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment by automatically identifying performance deterioration causes and selecting appropriate corrective actions. This self-service capability ensures that access path switching is performed only when necessary and appropriate, maintaining system stability while optimizing I/O performance.
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed are a management apparatus and a management method capable of improving the stability of the overall computer system. In a computer system which manages a storage area provided by each of a plurality of mutually connected storage apparatuses as a logical pool, provides to a host computer a virtual volume associated with the logical pool, and assigns a real storage area from the logical pool to the virtual volume when the host computer writes into the virtual volume, when a storage apparatus is added to the plurality of storage apparatuses, the host computer is controlled to switch the access path to the added storage apparatus.