Storage Scaling via Cross-Device Shadow Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional mid-range storage products face high costs and resource wastage when scaling up capacity and performance, as adding multiple controllers is expensive and requires replacing existing dual-controller storage products.
Innovation Solution
Establishing a cross-device link between storage devices to exchange configuration information and create shadow objects that expose the features and states of real objects without implementing their functioning logic, allowing for scaling out storage devices without the need for high-cost upgrades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple controllers are introduced into mid-range storage products to enlarge capacity and improve performance, then capacity and performance are improved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate storage devices into a single scaled-out storage system by establishing cross-device links between their controllers. This allows the system to achieve multi-controller performance and capacity without manufacturing a new complex multi-controller device, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while improving storage capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables existing dual-controller storage devices to serve multiple functions by combining them through cross-device links. The unified namespace and shadow object mechanisms allow the combined system to function as a single multi-controller storage array, providing versatility without requiring purpose-built multi-controller hardware.
2Productivity
If existing dual-controller storage products are replaced with new multi-controller products to scale out storage, then capacity and performance are improved, but resource waste occurs due to disposal of existing devices
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding existing dual-controller storage devices, the patent recovers and reuses them by establishing cross-device links. The existing devices continue to contribute their storage resources and processing capabilities to the scaled-out system, eliminating resource waste while achieving enhanced capacity and performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges existing storage devices into a unified scaled-out system, allowing them to work together cooperatively. This combination enables resource reuse and eliminates the need to dispose of existing devices, thereby preventing resource waste while scaling out storage capacity and performance.
3Device complexity
If shadow objects are created to expose features of real objects without implementing functioning logic, then system complexity is reduced, but information management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates shadow objects that are simplified copies of real objects, exposing their features without implementing the full functioning logic. This copying approach reduces device complexity by avoiding duplicate logic implementation while managing configuration information through the cross-device link mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses configuration information exchange through cross-device links as an intermediary mechanism to manage shadow objects. This intermediary approach handles the complexity of information management centrally, allowing shadow objects to remain simple while maintaining accurate representations of real objects across devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to method and apparatus for scaling out storage devices, and scaled-out storage devices by establishing a cross-device link between a first storage device and a second storage device; exchanging configuration information of at least one of the first storage device and the second storage via the cross-device link; creating, in the first storage device, a shadow object corresponding to a real object in the second storage device; and creating, in the second storage device, a shadow object corresponding to a real object in the first storage device; wherein each shadow object can expose feature and/or state of a corresponding real object to users without implementing a functioning logic of the corresponding real object.