Storage System Logical Partitioning Mediator
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Solution Overview
Problem
In computer systems with linked storage systems, low-functionality storage systems cannot recognize logical storage systems with partitioning functions, leading to incorrect linking and processing issues, especially when interacting with external devices or management computers without partitioning functions.
Innovation Solution
A storage system that manages volumes as logical volumes and communicates with external devices using an identifier representing a single logical storage system, allowing it to operate as multiple logical systems and facilitate recognition and linking even with low-functionality systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a storage system implements logical partitioning to provide multiple logical storage systems with enhanced functionality, then the storage system can allocate storage resources and provide IO performance suitable for multiple host computers, but external devices without logical partitioning functions cannot recognize the presence of logical storage systems, leading to incorrect linking and processing issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication control unit as an intermediary between the logical storage systems and external devices. This unit translates and manages communication protocols, allowing external devices without logical partitioning functions to interact with logical storage systems through a standardized interface. The communication control unit mediates the interaction by presenting a unified view of storage resources while maintaining the underlying logical partitioning structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage system implements a universal communication interface that can serve both devices with and without logical partitioning functions. The communication control unit provides multi-functional capabilities by adapting to different device types and requirements, enabling the same storage system to serve diverse external devices through a single standardized interface while maintaining logical partitioning for capable devices.
2Reliability
If a high-functionality storage system with logical partitioning is linked to a low-functionality storage system without logical partitioning, then remote copying can be implemented between systems, but the low-functionality storage system cannot recognize the logical storage systems, preventing correct linking
Solution Approach 1:
The communication control unit acts as a mediator that enables compatibility between high-functionality and low-functionality storage systems. It translates the logical partitioning information into a format that low-functionality systems can understand, allowing remote copying to be established between systems with different capabilities while maintaining the integrity of the logical storage structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts communication parameters based on the capabilities of the connected external device. When a low-functionality device is detected, the communication control unit modifies the interaction mode to present a simplified view that is compatible with basic storage systems, while maintaining full logical partitioning functionality when connected to capable devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage system 300a that has a volume, manages the volume as a plurality of logical volumes, and can operate as a plurality of logical storage systems having at least one logical volume. The storage system comprises an IO transmission-reception unit 1320a that communicates with a management computer 100, a host computer 200, and a storage system 300b and a processor 1310a that causes the IO transmission-reception unit 1320a to perform transmission to the management computer 100 and storage system 300b by using an identifier of the storage system 300a as an identifier indicating a representative logical storage system that is one predetermined logical storage system from among a plurality of the logical storage system when the storage system operates as a plurality of the logical storage systems.