Networked Storage Object Index for Unified Resource Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional networked storage systems face inefficiencies in managing resources due to the need for multiple queries to obtain performance and status data from hardware and software components from different vendors, exacerbating complexity.

Innovation Solution

A management system that generates an object index to uniquely identify resources, maintaining relationship information and providing configuration and performance data through an API module, allowing for efficient retrieval and assembly of information in response to user queries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If multiple queries are used to obtain performance and status data from hardware and software components from different vendors, then complete information can be retrieved, but the complexity of managing resources increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of resource informationVSAvoidcomplexity of resource management

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate queries for hardware and software component information into a single unified query mechanism. The system aggregates performance and status data from different vendors' components through one consolidated interface, eliminating the need for multiple separate queries while maintaining complete information retrieval.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer (unified interface/API) that sits between the user and the diverse hardware/software components. This intermediary handles the complexity of communicating with multiple vendors' components, translating various data formats and protocols into a standardized response, thereby reducing the perceived complexity for users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a unified method for data retrieval is implemented, then the complexity of managing resources is reduced, but the ability to handle vendor-specific formats may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplexity of resource managementVSAvoidability to handle vendor-specific formats

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal interface that can handle multiple vendor-specific formats through a single unified method. The system is designed to be multi-functional, supporting various data formats and protocols while presenting a consistent interface to users. This allows the system to adapt to different vendors' formats without requiring multiple separate query mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10084861B2Systems and methods for managing resources in networked environment

Publication Date: 2018.09.25 NETAPP INC

AI summary

Methods and systems for a networked storage environment are provided. An object index for storing object identifiers is generated for uniquely identifying a plurality of resources represented by a plurality of objects for providing storage services in a networked storage environment. The object index configured to maintain relationship information between the plurality of objects. In response to a request for information regarding a resource received by an application programming interface (API) module; object identifiers from the object index are obtained to respond to the request, where the object identifiers identify a requested object and a related object whose information is stored at the object index. Then configuration information and performance data for the requested object and the related object are obtained from a storage device and provided to the API module.