Storage Plug-in Validation via Verification Data Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Incorporating data-path-related plug-ins in distributed storage systems can lead to unexpected behavior, such as data corruption and performance degradation, necessitating a method to ensure safe deployment and validation.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the creation of a plug-in inclusive data-path specification and a verification data-path specification, where tasks are executed on both paths to generate verification data for validating data integrity, with actions taken for discrepancies, including removal or disabling of non-validated plug-ins and reconfiguration of resources to maintain Service Level Specifications (SLS).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data-path-related plug-ins are incorporated into distributed storage systems, then functionality and adaptability are improved, but system reliability and data integrity deteriorate due to unexpected behavior such as data corruption and performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a verification data path that executes tasks before the actual data path to validate plug-in behavior. This preliminary action includes creating verification data, executing tasks on both verification and actual data paths, and comparing results to detect potential data corruption before it affects production data, thereby maintaining both plug-in adaptability and data integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a verification data path as an intermediary between plug-in deployment and production data processing. This intermediary path allows validation of plug-in operations without directly exposing production data to unverified transformations, thus protecting data integrity while enabling functional experimentation
2Reliability
If verification data path is created and tasks are executed on both verification and plug-in inclusive data paths, then data integrity is improved, but system complexity and processing time worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a verification data path that copies the structure and operations of the actual data path. By using identical task executions on both verification and actual paths, the system validates plug-in behavior through comparison without requiring fundamentally different verification mechanisms, thus limiting complexity growth while maintaining integrity checks
3Reliability
If non-validated plug-ins are removed or disabled upon validation failure, then data integrity is improved, but system adaptability and functionality worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic plug-in validation where plug-ins transition between validated and unvalidated states based on verification results. Validated plug-ins remain active and functional, while unvalidated ones are temporarily restricted. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt functionality based on validation status rather than permanently removing plug-ins, thus maintaining both integrity and adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
A method for deploying a data-path-related plug-in for a logical storage entity of a storage system, the method comprising: deploying the data-path-related plug-in for the logical storage entity, wherein the deploying includes creating a plug-in inclusive data-path specification and wherein the plug-in inclusive data-path specification includes operation of the data-path-related plug-in; and creating a verification data path specification, wherein the verification data-path specification does not include operation of the data-path-related plug-in and wherein a task executed in a verification data path, having the verification data-path specification, generates verification data that enables validation of given data generated by the task being executed in a plug-in inclusive data-path having the plug-in inclusive data-path specification.