Storage OS Command Translation Layer for Upgrade Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
When upgrading storage operating systems, users face challenges due to changes in command names and line arguments, which can hinder the migration process as they need to learn new commands, increasing the burden of adapting to the upgraded system.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that capture and store user input commands in a database, categorize them based on frequency of use, and provide translations for the new storage operating system, allowing users to continue using familiar commands by mapping them to new ones compatible with the upgraded system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the storage operating system is upgraded to a newer version, then the system functionality and performance are improved, but the command name and command line arguments change, increasing the burden for users to learn new commands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a translation layer that acts as an intermediary between the user and the upgraded storage operating system. This translation layer captures user input commands and automatically translates them from the old command format to the new command format required by the upgraded system, thereby maintaining ease of operation while enabling access to improved system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by capturing and analyzing user input commands before the upgrade, storing them in a database. This allows the translation layer to be pre-configured with the mapping between old and new commands, enabling seamless translation without requiring users to manually learn new commands after the upgrade.
2Adaptability or versatility
If command names and line arguments are changed in the upgraded storage operating system, then the new system can implement improved features, but the migration process becomes more difficult as users must learn new commands
Solution Approach 1:
The translation layer serves as a mediator that enables the upgraded system with new features to communicate with users through familiar command interfaces. It translates user commands into the new command format required by the upgraded system, allowing the system to adopt new features while maintaining user-friendly operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the user's input commands and stores them in a database. The translation layer then uses these captured commands as a reference to automatically generate the corresponding new commands, effectively copying the user's intended actions while adapting them to the new system's command structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all input commands are translated to be compatible with the upgraded storage operating system, then full compatibility is achieved, but the complexity of the translation system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The translation layer implements partial action by focusing on translating only the essential and frequently used commands rather than attempting to translate every possible command. This approach achieves sufficient compatibility for core operations while avoiding the exponential complexity increase that would result from comprehensive translation of all command variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The translation system is segmented into modular components: a command capture module, a database storage module, and a translation module. Each component handles specific aspects of the translation process independently, making the overall system more manageable and maintainable despite the complexity of achieving full compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus and method that use auto support data for upgrade compatibility. The method includes capturing the input commands that are used by a user (customer) of a storage appliance and that are processed by a current storage operating system in the storage appliance. These input commands are then stored in a database and are the auto support data that is transmitted from the storage appliance via a network to the database. These input commands can be recorded or categorized in the database, based upon the command name or command line arguments of the input commands. These input commands can then be mapped to new input commands that are used with an upgraded storage operating system in a storage appliance. These mapping can be implemented in, for example, a data structure that maps previous input commands to new input commands.