Unified Storage Namespace for Heterogeneous Cloud Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing complex, heterogeneous, and geo-distributed storage environments within data centers is challenging due to the need for manual configuration and lack of standardized interfaces, leading to increased complexity and costs for companies providing data storage solutions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that enable the conversion of heterogeneous storage systems into a unified cloud computing storage array through a Representational State Transfer (REST) API and command-line interface (CLI), allowing for the management of storage resources as a single logical array, and automatic allocation of storage ports for optimized redundancy and load balancing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual configuration methods are used for heterogeneous storage systems, then flexibility in managing different storage types is maintained, but system complexity and administrative burden increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a storage namespace as an intermediary layer between the access endpoint and physical storage devices. This namespace provides standardized interface definitions that mediate between diverse storage types (block, file, object) and unified access methods, eliminating the need for manual configuration of each storage type while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage namespace is designed with universal interface definitions that can handle multiple storage types through a single standardized interface. The same namespace mechanisms work for block storage, file storage, and object storage, providing multi-functionality without requiring type-specific configuration procedures.
2Ease of operation
If standardized interfaces are implemented for cloud and on-premises storage, then management is simplified, but integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage system into distinct layers: the access endpoint, the storage namespace with interface definitions, and the physical storage devices. This segmentation allows standardized interfaces to be implemented at the namespace level without requiring complex integration logic at the access endpoint, simplifying management while handling integration complexity in the namespace layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage namespace automatically performs interface matching and device discovery without requiring manual configuration. The system self-services the integration process by automatically establishing connections between access endpoints and appropriate storage devices based on the standardized interface definitions, reducing both management effort and integration complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cloud storage is integrated into on-premises storage systems, then storage capacity and flexibility are improved, but system heterogeneity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The storage namespace acts as a mediator that unifies cloud and on-premises storage through standardized interface definitions. Cloud storage devices are integrated into the same namespace framework as on-premises devices, allowing unified management without increasing operational difficulty despite the heterogeneity of underlying storage systems.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a method includes reading a configuration file to obtain settings of device drivers for a cloud computing storage array, enumerating a backend driver as the cloud computing storage array in a data storage system, instantiating a default port for the cloud computing storage array and accessing the cloud computing storage array using the data storage system.