Storage Pool Provisioning Wizard with Rules-Based Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users lack the necessary sophistication and knowledge to effectively configure and provision storage pools in data storage systems, particularly in selecting appropriate RAID levels and disk configurations, leading to inefficiencies and potential data loss due to inadequate redundancy and throughput.
Innovation Solution
A user-friendly wizard-based system is introduced that guides users through storage pool provisioning, employing best practices to simplify the configuration process by limiting user input to RAID type and capacity, while utilizing a rules layer to translate user requirements into suitable storage system configurations, thereby reducing the need for extensive storage management expertise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users directly configure storage pool parameters without guidance, then configuration flexibility is improved, but configuration complexity and error rate increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary configuration system that includes a rules layer and validation logic. This intermediary translates user-friendly high-level parameters into detailed low-level configuration parameters, mediating between user intent and system requirements. The system validates configurations against predefined rules before applying them, preventing errors while maintaining flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration process is segmented into multiple layers: user input layer (high-level parameters), validation layer (rules checking), translation layer (parameter mapping), and execution layer (actual configuration). This segmentation allows each layer to handle specific tasks independently, reducing overall complexity while preserving flexibility.
2Reliability
If comprehensive validation rules are implemented, then configuration reliability is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary validation rules that check configuration parameters before they are applied to the storage system. The rules layer pre-validates high-level parameters and generates expected low-level parameter values in advance, catching errors early in the process before they can cause system issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the configuration parameters and validates this copy against predefined rules before applying the actual configuration. This allows comprehensive validation without risking system stability, as the validation operates on a duplicate set of parameters.
3Adaptability or versatility
If detailed configuration options are provided, then customization capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an abstraction dimension that separates user-facing parameters from system-level parameters. Users interact with high-level abstract parameters (e.g., storage capacity, performance tier) while the system automatically handles detailed low-level parameters (e.g., RAID level, disk group configuration). This dimensional separation makes the interface simpler while preserving customization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration system is designed to handle multiple configuration scenarios through a unified high-level interface. The same user-friendly parameter set can accommodate different customization needs by translating into various underlying configurations based on system state and rules, making the system universally applicable without requiring users to know specific technical details.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is used in facilitating storage pool provisioning. A sequence of user interface screens is provided for configuring one or more physical devices of a data storage system for use in connection with provisioning a storage pool. By the sequence, a provisioning specification describing a RAID type and capacity is received. Best practices information describing one or more sets of data storage system best practices is received. By the sequence, a proposal is presented for performing configuration processing in connection with initialization of the data storage system to configure a first portion of the one or more physical devices for use with the storage pool. The best practices information is used in producing the proposal.