Storage System Bandwidth Allocation via Dynamic Port Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage systems fail to effectively utilize available bandwidth for disaster recovery and data migration functions due to inefficient path management between storage devices and hosts.
Innovation Solution
A storage system with a management computer and storage devices that include processors and memory for managing port and path information, allowing for band accommodation processing to optimize bandwidth usage between paths connecting hosts and storage devices, and between storage devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If path setting is changed according to load status of ports connecting host and storage device, then path utilization between host and storage device is improved, but available bandwidth of ports connecting storage devices cannot be utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The port is made multi-functional by allowing it to be shared between host-storage device paths and storage device-storage device paths. The management computer dynamically allocates the same port resources to different path types based on current load conditions, enabling the port to serve multiple purposes and utilize available bandwidth for both host I/O operations and storage device communication (disaster recovery and data migration functions).
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic path setting that adapts to changing load conditions. The management computer continuously monitors port load status and dynamically adjusts path configuration, switching between host-storage device paths and storage device paths based on real-time conditions. This dynamic allocation ensures optimal utilization of available bandwidth across different operational scenarios.
2Reliability
If dedicated ports are allocated for disaster recovery and data migration paths, then reliability of storage device paths is improved, but bandwidth availability for host-storage device paths is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of static dedicated port allocation, the system uses dynamic port allocation where the same ports can be assigned to different functions based on current needs. When disaster recovery or data migration is active, ports are dynamically allocated to those paths; when not needed, ports are allocated to host-storage device paths, maximizing bandwidth availability while maintaining reliability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of ports dynamically based on system state. Ports can switch between different operational modes (host-storage device mode, storage device mode) by changing their assignment parameters. This parameter change approach allows the system to maintain reliability for disaster recovery functions when needed while optimizing bandwidth availability for normal operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage system has a management computer and a storage device, where the storage device is connected to an external storage device and includes a first processor, a storage medium on which a plurality of logical storage devices is based, and a plurality of ports. The management computer includes a memory and a second processor, the memory storing port information, path information between host and storage device indicating the association between a host computer and the plurality of logical storage devices and ports, and path information between storage devices indicating the association between the external storage device and the plurality of logical storage devices and ports. The second processor executes band accommodation processing on either a path between host and storage device or a path between storage devices on the basis of the port information, the path information between host and storage device, and the path information between storage devices.