Storage Resource Migration for Load Balancing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current storage management systems face inefficiencies due to high resource utilization in some storage operation cells while others remain underutilized, leading to bottlenecks and congestion, which can impact performance and data availability.

Innovation Solution

Implement a system that monitors operational characteristics and migrates resources between storage operation cells to balance load, prevent resource exhaustion, and optimize performance by transferring resources from overloaded cells to underutilized ones, using predictive analytics to identify trends and tendencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If resources are concentrated in certain storage operation cells, then resource utilization efficiency improves, but system congestion and bottlenecks worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidsystem congestion

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically migrates storage resources between storage operation cells based on real-time workload conditions. When a source cell becomes overloaded, resources are automatically transferred to underutilized target cells, enabling the system to adapt to changing conditions and maintain balanced resource distribution across the network

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors operational parameters such as resource utilization metrics and workload characteristics to identify when migration should occur. By changing the operational state of storage cells from overloaded to balanced through resource transfer, the system optimizes overall network performance and prevents congestion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If resources are distributed across multiple storage operation cells, then system reliability improves, but resource utilization efficiency worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows different storage operation cells to have different resource allocations based on their specific roles and workload requirements. Each cell can be optimized for its local function while the overall system maintains reliability through geographic and functional distribution of storage resources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Storage resources are designed to be universally transferable between different storage operation cells. The same resource can serve multiple functions and be relocated to different cells as needed, allowing the system to maintain both distribution for reliability and consolidation for efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If manual resource management is used, then system complexity is reduced, but operational responsiveness worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidoperational responsiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The storage resource management system performs self-service through automated monitoring and migration capabilities. The system autonomously identifies overloaded cells, selects appropriate target cells for resource migration, and executes transfers without human intervention, eliminating manual management overhead while maintaining simple operational interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors resource utilization metrics and workload conditions, using this feedback to automatically trigger resource migration when thresholds are exceeded. This closed-loop control enables rapid operational responsiveness while keeping the system architecture relatively simple through rule-based decision-making

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8661216B2Systems and methods for migrating components in a hierarchical storage network

Publication Date: 2014.02.25 COMMVAULT SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

System and methods for selectively or automatically migrating resources between storage operation cells are provided. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a management component within the storage operation system may monitor system operation and migrate components from storage operation cell to another to facilitate failover recovery, promote load balancing within the system and improve overall system performance as further described herein. Another aspect of the invention may involve performing certain predictive analyses on system operation to reveal trends and tendencies within the system. Such information may be used as the basis for potentially migrating components from one storage operation cell to another to improve system performance and reduce or eliminate resource exhaustion or congestion conditions.