Storage Profiles for Application-Optimized Data Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configuring data storage systems to optimize performance for specific applications is challenging due to the complexity of parameters and interactions involved, leading to inefficiencies such as wasted capacity and performance degradations in networked storage environments.
Innovation Solution
The use of predefined and user-defined storage profiles to simplify the configuration of data storage systems by setting parameters for storage pools, allowing users to select profiles that match specific application requirements, thereby optimizing storage allocation and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If storage pools are configured with default parameters to provide acceptable performance across a broad range of applications, then the system can be easily deployed, but the performance is not optimized for any specific application resulting in wasted capacity and undesirable response times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments storage pool configuration into multiple predefined profiles, each optimized for specific application types (e.g., OLTP, DSS, mail spooling). Instead of using a single default configuration for all applications, the system divides the configuration space into specialized segments that can be selected based on application requirements, thereby achieving both ease of deployment and optimized performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by providing predefined storage profiles that contain specific parameter settings optimized for different application types. Each profile modifies key parameters such as array type, RAID level, segment size, and read-ahead mode to match the performance characteristics required by specific applications, thus transforming the generic default configuration into application-optimized configurations.
2Productivity
If storage pool parameters are customized for specific applications to optimize performance, then storage efficiency improves, but the configuration process becomes complex and time-consuming requiring specialized knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring storage profiles with optimal parameter settings for different application types before deployment. The complex configuration work is performed in advance during profile creation, allowing users to simply select a predefined profile rather than manually configuring numerous parameters, thus achieving high storage efficiency without requiring specialized knowledge or time-consuming configuration processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by providing templates of predefined storage profiles that can be copied and applied to different storage pools. Users can copy a profile that has been optimized for a specific application type and apply it to multiple storage pools serving similar applications, thereby replicating optimized configurations without repeating the complex configuration process.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single default storage pool configuration is used for all applications, then the system is simple to deploy, but it results in wasted storage capacity and performance degradations for applications with specific requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different storage pool configurations optimized for specific local application requirements. Instead of using a uniform default configuration across all applications, the system allows selection of profiles with local optimizations tailored to specific application types (e.g., different segment sizes for OLTP versus DSS applications), thereby eliminating wasted capacity while maintaining simple deployment through profile selection.
4Reliability
If multiple parameters are manually configured to optimize storage pools for specific applications, then application performance improves, but the time and expertise required for configuration increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-optimizing storage profiles for specific application types before deployment. The time-consuming process of manually configuring multiple parameters to achieve optimal application performance is performed in advance during profile creation. During deployment, users simply select the appropriate predefined profile, thereby achieving high application performance without spending significant time or expertise on configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for allocating storage in a data storage system using one or more storage profiles. A set of storage profiles are provided that each has a set of parameters with values defined for the data storage system and for particular client applications. The method includes receiving a selection of one of the storage profiles, such as from an administrative user interface generated by a storage manager running in conjunction with the data storage system. The selected storage profile is then applied to the data storage system to allocate a portion of the data storage system to a storage pool which is defined by the values of the set of parameters in the selected storage profile. The method includes creating a user-defined storage profile by copying parameters from one of the provided storage profiles and allowing a user to modify or accept the parameters.