Virtual Backplane Management for Multi-Controller Storage Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Managing multiple backplanes in storage subsystems with a single storage controller is challenging due to issues with storage device enumeration, contiguous storage device numbering, and communication complexities, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A storage subsystem backplane management system that includes a storage controller, a service processor, and multiple backplanes with management controllers, which create a virtual management controller to present a unified virtual backplane to the storage controller and service processor, allowing communication with multiple drives as a single logical unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate storage controller is provided for each backplane, then communication management is simplified, but cost increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual storage controllers are merged into a single shared storage controller that serves multiple backplanes. The patent implements a pool of storage controllers that can be dynamically allocated to different backplanes, reducing the total number of controllers while maintaining communication management capabilities through virtualization and dynamic assignment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage controller is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple backplanes simultaneously. A single storage controller can manage multiple storage management domains and communicate with different backplanes by dynamically switching contexts and managing multiple enumeration schemes, making the controller universal rather than dedicated to a single backplane.
2Device complexity
If a single storage controller is coupled to multiple backplanes, then cost is reduced, but storage device enumeration and contiguous numbering become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is segmented into multiple storage management domains, with each backplane representing a separate domain. The single storage controller can independently manage each domain's enumeration scheme, allowing contiguous numbering within each domain while maintaining global uniqueness through domain-qualified identifiers. This segmentation resolves the enumeration conflict by creating hierarchical naming spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (virtualization layer or management software) that sits between the single storage controller and multiple backplanes. This intermediary manages the enumeration complexity by translating between global device identifiers and local backplane-specific numbering schemes, handling the complexity of contiguous numbering across multiple domains without burdening the controller with direct management of all enumeration details.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple backplanes are used to expand storage capacity, then storage scalability is improved, but communication complexities and management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic allocation and configuration of storage controllers to backplanes. Rather than static one-to-one mappings, the system can dynamically assign controllers from a shared pool to different backplanes based on workload demands and capacity requirements. This dynamic approach enables scalability while managing complexity through flexible resource allocation rather than rigid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses virtualization to create virtual copies of storage controller interfaces and management domains. Each backplane can be presented with a virtualized view of storage resources and controller interfaces, allowing multiple backplanes to be managed through standardized virtual interfaces rather than requiring unique physical controller instances for each backplane. This copying approach simplifies management overhead while maintaining scalability.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage subsystem backplane management system includes a storage controller and a service processor. A first backplane including a first management controller is coupled to the storage controller and the service processor. The first backplane is operable to couple a plurality of first drives to the first management controller. A second backplane including a second management controller is coupled to the first management controller. The second backplane is operable to couple a plurality of second drives to the second management controller. The first management controller communicates with the second management controller and creates a virtual management controller that presents to the storage controller and the service processor a virtual backplane including the plurality of first drives and the plurality of second drives when the plurality of first drives are coupled to the first management controller and the plurality of second drives are coupled to the second management controller.