Target Device Driver for SCSI Enclosure Services Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
In storage system environments with multiple storage systems, a storage system may own non-SES disks on a shelf without owning the SES disks, preventing it from obtaining SCSI Enclosure Services (SES) information or setting environmental variables like disk failure LEDs.
Innovation Solution
A novel target device driver (TDD) module within the storage operating system allows each storage system to function as a SCSI target, enabling communication and coordination of SES information among interconnected storage systems through intermediate network devices like hubs, determining disk ownership and sharing SES messages to manage SES information across the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a storage system owns non-SES disks on a shelf without owning the SES disks, then the storage system can access and manage non-SES disks, but it cannot obtain SES information or set environmental variables like disk failure LEDs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the storage system that owns SES disks acts as a mediator to provide SES information to other storage systems that own non-SES disks on the same shelf. This mediator storage system receives SES commands from non-SES owners and returns the appropriate SES information, enabling indirect access to enclosure services without requiring direct ownership of SES disks.
2Productivity
If a storage system owns non-SES disks on a shelf without owning the SES disks, then the storage system can store data on those disks, but it cannot set environmental variables like disk failure LEDs
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary storage system that owns SES disks receives commands from non-SES owning storage systems to control environmental variables such as LED indicators. The mediator translates these requests into appropriate SES commands and executes them, allowing remote storage systems to control physical indicators on disk shelves without direct hardware ownership.
3Reliability
If multiple storage systems are interconnected through intermediate network devices, then the system achieves better redundancy and scalability, but the complexity of coordinating SES information among storage systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal interface where any storage system can function both as an SES information requester and as an SES information provider. Storage systems that own SES disks automatically assume the role of information providers for their connected shelves, while systems needing SES information become requesters. This multi-functional design simplifies coordination in multi-system environments by establishing consistent roles and protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where storage systems automatically discover which shelves they own and which SES information they need, then dynamically establish appropriate communication relationships. The feedback loop ensures that SES information flows from owning systems to non-owning systems through the interconnected network, maintaining consistency across the distributed storage environment.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for distributing enclosure services information is provided. A plurality of storage systems that are operatively interconnected with one or more intermediate networking devices and/or disk shelves are modified to include a target device driver module that is adapted to receive and process target commands from other storage systems to enable the sharing and retrieval of SES information from a storage shelf's master storage system.