Storage Network Virtualization via Distributed Controller Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtualization implementations in iSCSI-based Storage Area Networks (SANs) face bottlenecks and scalability issues due to the need for all communications to pass through a virtualization appliance, restricting the number of accessible target storage devices and hindering efficient resource management.
Innovation Solution
A storage system with a virtualization controller that maps virtual targets to physical storage devices, allowing initiators to access these devices directly over an IP network, thereby bypassing the virtualization appliance and enhancing scalability and management capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a virtualization appliance is introduced between iSCSI initiators and iSCSI targets, then virtualization functionality is achieved, but the appliance becomes a bottleneck and the system does not scale well
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the virtualization functionality by distributing it across multiple virtualization appliances rather than relying on a single centralized appliance. Each appliance manages a subset of storage resources, allowing the system to scale horizontally by adding more appliances as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtualization layer that acts as an intermediary between initiators and targets, but implements this layer in a distributed manner across multiple appliances. This mediator approach enables virtualization while avoiding the bottleneck of centralized control.
2Ease of operation
If a virtualization appliance is used to manage storage resources, then storage resource management is improved, but adding additional initiators and targets exacerbates the bottleneck problem
Solution Approach 1:
The management workload is segmented across multiple virtualization appliances, with each appliance handling a portion of the storage resources. This distribution of management responsibilities maintains ease of operation while preventing any single appliance from becoming overwhelmed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimension centralized management model to a multi-dimensional distributed architecture. Management functions are expanded across multiple dimensions (multiple appliances, multiple storage pools), allowing the system to handle increased complexity without proportionally increasing bottleneck risks.
Data Source
AI summary
Described are a storage system and method for providing networked access to a plurality of storage devices. The storage system includes a virtualization controller coupled to a network. The virtualization controller produces a mapping of a virtual target to one or more physical storage devices on the network. The storage system also includes an initiator in communication with the virtualization controller over to the network to receive the mapping from the virtualization controller. The initiator includes a virtualization client for translating, in accordance with the mapping, a target access request directed to the virtual target by the initiator into a target access request directed to one of the physical storage devices.