Storage System Load Distribution via Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage systems with virtualization technology face significant burden on the virtualization device during high-load internal processing, leading to delays in responding to data I/O requests from the host system.
Innovation Solution
A storage system where multiple storage apparatuses are connected via a network, with each apparatus retaining an identifier for its storage group, configuration information, and priority information, allowing a master storage apparatus to perform virtualization and data I/O processing while another apparatus handles internal processing, thereby distributing the load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single storage apparatus performs both virtualization processing and data I/O processing, then the system structure is simple, but the processing response time deteriorates during high-load internal processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the storage system into multiple functional components: a virtualization device that handles virtualization processing and a separate storage apparatus that handles data I/O processing. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function, preventing the virtualization device from being bottlenecked by internal processing tasks while ensuring timely responses to host system data I/O requests.
2Productivity
If a single storage apparatus performs virtualization processing and internal processing, then the device utilization is high, but the processing reliability deteriorates during high-load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments processing functions between a virtualization device and a storage apparatus. The virtualization device focuses on virtualization tasks while the storage apparatus dedicatedly handles data I/O operations. This separation ensures that internal processing tasks (such as volume copying) do not interfere with data I/O processing reliability, even during high-load conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a storage apparatus as an intermediary between the virtualization device and the host system. This intermediary handles all data I/O requests independently of the virtualization device's internal processing activities, acting as a buffer that maintains processing reliability during high-load scenarios.
3Device complexity
If the virtualization device performs all processing tasks, then the management complexity is low, but the processing capability deteriorates during high-load internal processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments processing capabilities between a virtualization device and a storage apparatus. The virtualization device manages virtualization functions while the storage apparatus provides dedicated data I/O processing capability. This segmentation preserves the system's ability to handle high-load internal processing tasks without compromising overall processing capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed are a storage system, data processing method and storage apparatus capable of performing stable data I/O processing. Each of the storage apparatuses configured in the storage group stores group configuration information containing priority information given to each storage apparatus, and the storage apparatus with the highest priority becomes a master and performs virtualization processing and data I/O processing, and another storage apparatus belonging to this storage group performs internal processing of the storage group.