Data Storage System Power Management Module

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The high total cost of ownership (TCO) of disk-based data storage systems is driven by continuous power-on requirements, leading to increased power consumption and space usage, even when data access is infrequent, necessitating a more efficient power management strategy.

Innovation Solution

A data storage system with a power management module that selectively powers only a portion of disk storages within each enclosure, using a single power supply module and serially connected storage enclosures, allowing for dynamic activation and deactivation of protection groups based on client requests to optimize power usage and reduce TCO.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If all disk storages are kept powered-on continuously, then data access speed is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the protection groups into active and inactive states, allowing selective powering on of disk storages based on access requirements. This segmentation enables the system to maintain only the necessary portions powered-on, reducing overall power consumption while preserving access speed for active data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the power state of protection groups based on real-time access patterns and data priorities. Frequently accessed protection groups remain powered-on for immediate access, while rarely accessed ones are powered-off to save energy, creating a dynamic balance between speed and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If all disk storages are kept powered-on continuously, then data availability is improved, but total cost of ownership increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata availabilityVSAvoidtotal cost of ownership

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different power states to different protection groups based on their specific access requirements and data criticality. Critical data in frequently accessed protection groups maintains high availability with continuous power, while less critical data in inactive protection groups accepts reduced availability in exchange for lower power consumption, optimizing TCO.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters (power state) of protection groups based on access patterns and data priorities. By transitioning between active and inactive states, the system adjusts availability parameters dynamically, reducing TCO by aligning power consumption with actual data availability requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If selective power management is implemented, then power consumption is reduced, but data access delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddata access delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-loading frequently accessed protection groups into active state before actual data access requests occur. This anticipatory activation ensures that when access is needed, the data is already available, minimizing access delay while maintaining selective power management benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms to monitor access patterns and dynamically adjust the activation state of protection groups. By continuously feedback on access behavior, the system can proactively activate protection groups before access requests arrive, reducing perceived delay while maintaining low power consumption for inactive groups.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Adaptability or versatility

If individual power supply units are used for each enclosure, then power management flexibility is improved, but device complexity and heat dissipation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower management flexibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the power supply functionality by using a single power supply unit to serve multiple storage enclosures through selective activation of protection groups. This consolidation reduces device complexity and heat dissipation compared to individual power supplies, while maintaining flexibility through software-controlled power distribution to active protection groups only.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11231877B2Method of and data storage system for executing disk operations

Publication Date: 2022.01.25 YADRO INT LTD

AI summary

There is provided a method for executing disk operations in a data storage system (DSS) including a power supply connected to a plurality of serially connected storage enclosures, and a power management module, where each storage enclosure includes at least one disk storage. Each logical partition of plurality of logical partitions is hosted on respective sets of disk storages corresponding to protection groups. The DSS causes activation of a set of protection groups, and authorizes a subset of protection groups to accept execution of disk operations. Disk operations are received and executed by the subset. In response to determining that an operation parameter of a given protection group of the subset is equal to a predetermined threshold, a remaining protection group of the set of protection groups is added to the subset, and a new protection group is activated and added to the set of protection groups.