Storage Path Timeout Management for Mixed Disk Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In storage systems with mixed disk types, such as SSD and HDD, setting a uniform IO timeout value can lead to frequent IO timeouts on slower disks when the timeout is set too short, even during normal operation, due to temporary load increases, which can result in delayed path switching and IO retry issues.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a storage system that stores management information for timeout times on each path and dynamically adjusts these values based on the load state and disk type, allowing for different timeout times for leading, intermediate, and final paths, and using CM coefficients to optimize timeout settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a uniform short IO timeout value is set for all paths, then fast access is improved, but IO timeouts occur frequently on slower disks during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by setting different timeout values for different paths based on their characteristics. Specifically, it identifies fast paths (e.g., SSD connections) and slow paths (e.g., HDD connections) and assigns appropriate timeout values to each, allowing the system to optimize for speed on fast paths while maintaining reliability on slow paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by dynamically determining timeout values based on the current IO path and disk characteristics. The system dynamically selects timeout values from a set of predefined values (e.g., 5 seconds for fast paths, 30 seconds for slow paths) based on real-time path identification, rather than using a static uniform timeout value.
2Reliability
If a uniform long IO timeout value is set for all paths, then IO timeout stability is improved, but IO response time increases for fast paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different timeout values to different paths based on their performance characteristics. Fast paths receive shorter timeout values (e.g., 5 seconds) to minimize response time, while slow paths receive longer timeout values (e.g., 30 seconds) to ensure stability and prevent false timeout errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by dynamically selecting appropriate timeout values based on the identified IO path. The system determines whether each path is fast or slow and applies the corresponding timeout value dynamically, optimizing the balance between response time and stability for each path individually.
3Productivity
If path switching is delayed due to frequent false timeouts, then system responsiveness is improved, but actual path switching is delayed when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using path-specific timeout values to distinguish between false timeouts on fast paths and genuine timeouts on slow paths. This prevents premature path switching due to false timeouts while still enabling timely switching when actual failures occur, as each path is evaluated with its appropriate timeout threshold.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by dynamically adjusting the timeout threshold based on the current path characteristics. When a timeout occurs, the system dynamically determines whether to switch paths based on whether the timeout exceeded the path-specific threshold, enabling responsive yet accurate path switching decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
An input and output method includes connecting a storage apparatus to an information processing apparatus via a plurality of paths, storing management information for a timeout time of each of the plurality of paths in a storage unit of the storage apparatus, and acquiring the timeout time of a path and another path of an input/output issuance destination for the storage apparatus from the storage unit depending on the path and the another path.