Storage Router Automatic SAS SATA Device Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
In network environments, particularly in Storage Area Networks (SANs), configuring and managing the mapping of SAS and SATA-based target devices within physical enclosures is complex and requires manual intervention, lacking an automated solution for establishing a mapping affinity among co-located devices.
Innovation Solution
A storage router system with a discovery module that automatically maps physically co-located SAS and SATA-based target devices by identifying enclosure identifiers, zone identifiers, and physical layouts, using protocols like SMP and SES, and storing these mappings in nonvolatile storage to create a consistent view across power cycles and reconfigurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual configuration is used for mapping target devices, then configuration flexibility is maintained, but user effort and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The storage router automatically performs device discovery, enclosure identification, and mapping configuration without requiring manual user input. The system self-configures by querying enclosures for their identifiers and automatically creating the mapping between target devices and enclosures, eliminating the need for manual configuration while maintaining flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary device discovery and enclosure identification before the user needs to access the mapping information. By pre-configuring the mappings automatically during system initialization or device connection, the user benefit from having the configuration already prepared without needing to perform manual setup tasks.
2Productivity
If automated discovery is implemented, then configuration time is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage router integrates multiple functions into a single system: it acts as both a SAS initiator for device discovery and a storage router for data transmission. The discovery mechanism leverages existing SAS protocol capabilities and enclosure services, reusing established communication pathways rather than creating separate dedicated discovery infrastructure, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage router serves as an intermediary between the initiator and target devices, performing the discovery and mapping functions. By centralizing the discovery mechanism in the router rather than requiring complex coordination between multiple components, the system achieves automated configuration while managing complexity through a single point of control.
3Stability of the object's composition
If physical layout mapping is maintained across power cycles, then consistency is preserved, but additional storage and processing requirements are created
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and stores only the essential mapping information (enclosure identifiers and device mappings) rather than maintaining complete physical layout details. By storing only the critical identification data needed for consistency rather than full positional information, the system preserves mapping consistency across power cycles while minimizing storage requirements.
4Ease of operation
If enclosure identifiers are used for grouping, then device organization is improved, but compatibility requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The storage router is designed to work with multiple types of enclosures by implementing universal discovery mechanisms that query for enclosure identifiers using standard SAS protocols and enclosure services. Rather than requiring specific enclosure types, the system adapts to different enclosure implementations as long as they respond to the standard discovery queries, thereby improving device organization without imposing strict compatibility requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an improved device, system and method for representation of target devices in a storage router. In one aspect, a device, system and method are provided for predictive representation of SAS/SATA-based target devices in a storage router corresponding to the physical layout of the target devices. In another aspect, a storage router is communicatively connectable to a plurality of target storage devices. In one embodiment, a router discovery manager or module is configured to discover the physical layout of the target storage devices; a host system interface receives and responds to data storage commands; a computer bus interface connects/communicates with SAS and SATA storage; and a plurality of host system interface to target storage device maps correspond to the physical layout of the target storage devices.