Target Port Set Selection for Storage Connection Paths

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage systems face inefficiencies in managing connection paths between initiators and controller nodes, leading to overutilization or underutilization of target ports, which can result in suboptimal I/O throughput and availability.

Innovation Solution

A provisioning system determines the loads of target ports and selects a set of target ports for inclusion in the connection path based on load balancing, ensuring redundancy and increased availability by considering partner and individual target ports.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If connection paths are established without load balancing, then setup complexity is reduced, but target ports become overutilized or underutilized leading to suboptimal I/O throughput

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveI/O throughputVSAvoidconnection path management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The provisioning system automatically performs load determination and target port selection without manual intervention. The system self-manages the connection path establishment by autonomously evaluating load metrics and making routing decisions, eliminating the need for complex manual configuration while optimizing I/O throughput through load-balanced target port selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If target ports are selected without considering load, then selection process is simplified, but availability and reliability decrease due to overutilization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem availabilityVSAvoidtarget port selection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The provisioning system implements a feedback mechanism where load information from target ports is continuously monitored and used to inform connection path decisions. The system determines current load metrics, uses this feedback to select appropriate target ports, and thereby maintains optimal availability and reliability while avoiding overutilization through data-driven selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If load balancing is implemented across target ports, then I/O throughput is optimized, but the provisioning process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveI/O throughputVSAvoidprovisioning process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The provisioning system automatically performs load determination and target port selection without manual intervention. The system self-manages the connection path establishment by autonomously evaluating load metrics and making routing decisions, eliminating the need for complex manual configuration while optimizing I/O throughput through load-balanced target port selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20200250120A1Target port set selection for a connection path based on comparison of respective loads

Publication Date: 2020.08.06 HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEV LP

AI summary

In some examples, to define a connection path of an initiator to target ports of a plurality of controller nodes that manage access of data in a storage system, a provisioning system determines loads of respective sets of target ports, and selects a selected set of target ports from among the sets of target ports for inclusion in the connection path based on the determined loads.