Automated Storage Reclamation via Policy Engine
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In virtualized storage environments, manual intervention is required to manage resource reclamation when free space runs out, which is inefficient and unacceptable in large systems without a single point of control.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism that records metadata for deleted volumes and applies policy rules to initiate automated data storage space reclamation, ensuring a minimum requirement for available zeroed extents by reallocating space from deleted volumes to satisfy needs of late-allocated storage volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual resource reclamation is implemented in virtualized storage environments, then administrators can control volume deletion, but system efficiency deteriorates and scalability worsens in large systems without single-point control
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service resource reclamation through automated policies that monitor extent pool levels and autonomously delete volumes from the recycle pool when thresholds are breached. The policy engine continuously evaluates system state and executes deletion operations without administrator intervention, allowing the system to manage its own resources efficiently while maintaining predefined control parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the policy engine monitors the number of free extents in the pool and compares it against predefined thresholds. When the free extent count falls below the threshold, the system automatically triggers volume deletion operations and continues monitoring until the threshold is restored, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal resource levels dynamically.
2Quantity of substance
If manual intervention is required to free up extents in the recycle pool, then space can be reclaimed, but system complexity increases and operational overhead grows
Solution Approach 1:
The automated policy-driven system eliminates the need for manual administrator intervention by implementing self-service resource reclamation. The policy engine autonomously monitors extent pool levels, evaluates policy conditions, and executes volume deletions when thresholds are breached, thereby maintaining adequate storage resources without increasing operational complexity or requiring human involvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated discarding of deleted volumes from the recycle pool based on policy rules. When the free extent threshold is breached, the policy engine identifies and deletes appropriate volumes from the recycle pool, recovering their extents and returning them to the available pool, thus maintaining a balance between stored deleted volumes and free resources without manual intervention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pool of zeroed unallocated extents becomes empty, then late allocated volumes can still be created, but system reliability deteriorates and service availability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by proactively monitoring the free extent count and automatically deleting volumes from the recycle pool before the zeroed unallocated extent pool becomes completely empty. The policy engine is configured with thresholds that trigger deletion operations in advance, ensuring that sufficient extents are always available for late-allocated volumes, thereby preventing service disruptions and maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements beforehand cushioning by maintaining a buffer of free extents through automated policy enforcement. The policy engine monitors extent levels and executes deletions to ensure the free extent count remains above critical thresholds, creating a cushion that prevents the zeroed unallocated pool from becoming empty and ensures continuous availability for late-allocated volume operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Managing resource reclamation in data storage systems is provided. A volume deletion metadata recorder records metadata for one or more deleted volumes. A policy engine, responsive to a predetermined policy rule, applies the policy rule to the metadata. The policy engine initiates policy-controlled data storage space reclamation for the one or more deleted volumes. A volume reclaimer, responsive to the policy engine, reclaims data storage space from the one or more deleted volumes. A resource allocator allocates the data storage space to satisfy a minimum requirement for available zeroed extents that comprise a minimum requirement to satisfy needs of late allocated storage volumes.