Unified Storage Identification for Multi-System Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current storage systems face challenges in managing large-scale data centers, where multiple storage systems need to be recognized as a single entity by host computers to enhance system performance and reduce management costs, while existing solutions either fail to expand performance or require complex administrator management.
Innovation Solution
The system assigns default storage system identification information and common volume identification information to multiple storage systems, allowing them to communicate and process read/write requests as a unified storage system, enabling host computers to recognize and access volumes across multiple systems seamlessly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple storage systems are used to expand system capacity and performance, then storage capacity and system performance are improved, but management complexity increases and host computer recognition becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple storage systems into a unified namespace by assigning common volume identification information (VSAN) that is shared across all storage systems. This allows host computers to access volumes across multiple storage systems using a single identification scheme, effectively combining multiple systems into one logical entity while maintaining physical independence of each storage system.
Solution Approach 2:
The volume identification information (VSAN) is designed to be universal across all storage systems in the plurality. Each storage system can store multiple volumes, and each volume can be accessed by any host computer through the common VSAN scheme, providing multi-functionality and eliminating the need for system-specific identification methods.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple storage systems are used to expand system capacity, then storage capacity is improved, but host computer ability to recognize and access volumes uniformly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a unified namespace by combining the identification approaches of multiple storage systems into a single VSAN structure. Host computers see a uniform set of volumes with consistent identification rules regardless of which physical storage system the volume resides on, enabling seamless access across the plurality of storage systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The volume identification is segmented into two parts: storage system identification information (common to all systems) and volume-specific identification information (unique to each volume). This segmentation allows host computers to uniformly access volumes while the system maintains the ability to route requests to the correct physical storage system.
3Ease of operation
If traditional storage system identification methods are used, then individual storage system management is simple, but multiple storage systems cannot be recognized as a single entity by host computers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges traditional individual storage system identification with a new layer of common identification (VSAN). Each storage system retains its own identification for local management purposes, while the common VSAN enables multi-system recognition. This dual-identification approach allows both individual system simplicity and multi-system versatility to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The VSAN acts as an intermediary identification layer between host computers and multiple storage systems. It provides a unified interface for host access while allowing the underlying storage systems to maintain their individual identification schemes for local management, effectively mediating between simplicity and versatility requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of this invention is an information storage system comprising a plurality of storage systems connected to be able to communicate. Each of the plurality of storage systems includes default storage system identification information which is the same to the plurality of storage systems, common volume identification information for uniquely identifying volumes provided by the plurality of storage systems to a host computer among the plurality of storage systems, and a controller configured to return the default storage system identification information to the host computer in response to a request from the host computer and to process a read or write request to a volume accompanying the common volume identification information from the host computer.