Storage Port Oversubscription with Threshold-Triggered Path Sharing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data storage systems struggle to efficiently manage performance-differentiated storage services for multiple host applications with varying I/O demands, leading to potential service level compliance issues when bandwidth constraints are reached.

Innovation Solution

Implementing port oversubscription mechanisms that dynamically allocate bandwidth between storage groups by masking different host applications to primary and secondary path ports, enabling secondary paths only when primary paths reach utilization thresholds, using protocols like ALUA to manage path states and allocate bandwidth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If port oversubscription is implemented to provide performance-differentiated storage services, then service level compliance for critical applications is improved, but system complexity increases due to multiple path configurations and utilization monitoring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice level complianceVSAvoidport configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments storage paths into primary and secondary paths, and storage groups into protected and non-protected groups. This segmentation allows differentiated service levels where critical applications use primary paths with guaranteed bandwidth while less critical applications share secondary paths, resolving the contradiction between service level compliance and system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between primary and secondary paths based on real-time utilization monitoring. When primary path utilization exceeds thresholds, the system automatically redirects traffic to secondary paths, providing dynamic service level adjustment without requiring complex static configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If bandwidth is allocated to critical applications with priority access, then service level performance is improved, but available bandwidth for other applications decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIOPS performanceVSAvoidavailable bandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system ensures continuous service for critical applications by maintaining dedicated primary paths with guaranteed bandwidth. Non-critical applications continue to use secondary paths, and the system dynamically reallocates bandwidth between path types based on utilization thresholds, ensuring both service level compliance and overall system productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes bandwidth allocation parameters dynamically based on utilization thresholds. When primary path utilization exceeds defined thresholds, the system adjusts bandwidth parameters by redirecting traffic to secondary paths, thereby maintaining service level performance for critical applications while allocating remaining bandwidth to other applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If secondary path ports are kept inactive to ensure service levels, then service level compliance is improved, but system adaptability decreases when primary paths become overloaded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice level complianceVSAvoidpath utilization flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary configuration of secondary paths as backup routes, keeping them inactive during normal operation to ensure service level compliance. However, the system continuously monitors primary path utilization and is pre-configured to activate secondary paths when thresholds are exceeded, thereby maintaining both service level reliability and system adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor primary path utilization and automatically trigger secondary path activation when thresholds are exceeded. This feedback loop maintains service level compliance during normal operation while providing adaptive response to overload conditions, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250298526A1Service level port oversubscription

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 DELL TECH INC

AI summary

A storage system includes at least one oversubscription-protected storage group and at least one non-protected storage group. Some or all of the primary path ports of the non-protected storage group are secondary path ports for the protected storage group. The secondary port paths are normally inactive for the protected storage group. When aggregate bandwidth on the primary port paths of the protected storage group reaches a threshold condition or is forecasted to reach the threshold condition, the secondary port paths are activated for the protected storage group. While the secondary port paths are activated for the protected storage group, both the protected storage group and the non-protected storage group are accessible via the shared ports. Access to the protected storage group and the non-protected storage group via the shared ports may be bandwidth-limited such that sharing in a predetermined ratio is ensured.