Universal Virtual System Management Module for Data Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data storage systems face inefficiencies in managing virtual systems due to the need for vendor-specific server management modules, leading to duplicated effort, longer testing times, and increased debugging complexity when supporting multiple virtual server types.

Innovation Solution

A unified virtual server management framework with common management functionality and specific handler modules for each virtual server type, allowing communication through a universal virtual system management module, and the use of a proxy host system to offload processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If vendor-specific server management modules are used for each virtual server type, then compatibility with specific virtual server formats is improved, but device complexity and maintenance burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with virtual server formatsVSAvoidcomplexity of management modules

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal server management module that can handle multiple virtual server types (VMware, Hyper-V, Xen) through a single unified interface. This module provides common management functionality for all virtual server formats, eliminating the need for separate vendor-specific modules and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining broad compatibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the server management functionality into two distinct parts: a universal server management module handling common operations, and virtual server type-specific handler modules handling format-specific operations. This segmentation allows the universal module to remain simple while still supporting multiple formats through dedicated handlers when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate server management modules are created for each virtual server type, then support for multiple virtual server formats is improved, but productivity and development efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for virtual server typesVSAvoiddevelopment efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The universal server management module implements a standardized interface and common management logic that works across all virtual server types. This allows developers to write code once in the universal module that automatically supports multiple formats, dramatically improving development efficiency while maintaining support for VMware, Hyper-V, Xen and other virtual server types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary universal server management module that sits between the storage system and various virtual server types. This intermediary translates and standardizes communications from different virtual server formats, allowing the core management logic to remain simple and productive while still supporting diverse formats through the intermediary layer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If vendor-specific management modules are used, then compatibility with specific virtual server formats is improved, but testing time and debugging complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with virtual server formatsVSAvoidtesting and debugging time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The universal server management module provides a standardized interface and common management logic that can be tested once for all virtual server types. This eliminates the need to create and maintain separate test suites for each vendor-specific module, significantly reducing testing time while maintaining compatibility with multiple formats through the unified interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the testing and debugging processes for multiple virtual server types into a single unified process through the universal server management module. By combining the common functionality into one module, testing efforts are consolidated, reducing overall testing time and debugging complexity while still ensuring compatibility across different virtual server formats

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9569235B1Managing virtual systems in data storage systems

Publication Date: 2017.02.14 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

A method is used in managing virtual systems in data storage systems. First and second virtual systems are managed. The first virtual system uses a first format for communicating with a data storage system and the second virtual system uses a second format for communicating with the data storage system. A universal virtual system management module of the data storage system is used for communicating with the first and second virtual systems. The universal virtual system management module communicates with the first virtual system by using a first virtual system handler configured to communicate based on the first format. The universal virtual system management module communicates with the second virtual system by using a second virtual system handler configured to communicate based on the second format.