Virtual Host Port Bandwidth Management via Switch Mapping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Data storage systems face challenges in managing I/O bandwidth limits, particularly when multiple virtual host ports share a single physical host port, leading to bandwidth mismatch and congestion across I/O paths, as the storage system is unaware that multiple port IDs correspond to the same physical host port, resulting in inaccurate assessment of workload and bandwidth consumption.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining when multiple virtual host ports correspond to the same physical host port by querying a switch using Fibre Channel protocol identifiers, and maintaining a data structure to monitor and adjust bandwidth consumption and I/O transmission rates to prevent exceeding predefined thresholds, ensuring accurate bandwidth management and reducing congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple virtual host ports share a single physical host port, then port utilization and virtualization flexibility are improved, but bandwidth management accuracy and congestion control deteriorate because the storage system is unaware that multiple port IDs correspond to the same physical port
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a switch as an intermediary component that maintains mapping information between virtual host ports and the physical host port. The switch queries and responds with port ID mappings, enabling the storage system to indirectly understand the relationship between multiple virtual ports and their shared physical port, thus resolving the bandwidth management accuracy issue while preserving virtualization flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the storage system queries the switch for port ID mappings and uses this information to accurately track and manage bandwidth consumption across multiple virtual host ports sharing a physical port. This feedback loop enables precise bandwidth assessment and congestion control despite the virtualization layer
2Measurement precision
If the storage system queries the switch for port ID mappings, then bandwidth management accuracy is improved, but system complexity and query overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the switch pre-establish and maintain mapping information between virtual host ports and physical host ports in its internal data structures. When the storage system needs bandwidth management information, the mappings are already ready, eliminating the need for complex real-time discovery procedures and reducing query overhead
3Reliability
If the storage system monitors cumulative bandwidth consumption rate, then congestion prevention is improved, but processing overhead and monitoring complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the bandwidth monitoring function with the existing I/O path tracking mechanisms. By combining cumulative bandwidth consumption tracking with the port mapping information already maintained by the switch and storage system, the solution achieves reliable congestion prevention without introducing separate complex monitoring infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The storage system uses its existing resources and the switch's mapping information to perform bandwidth monitoring and congestion control. The system leverages the port mapping data already available from switch queries to track bandwidth consumption across virtual host ports, eliminating the need for external monitoring systems
Data Source
AI summary
Bandwidth consumption and/or an I/O transmission rate on an I/O path between a port of a storage system and a physical host port may be managed, including determining when multiple virtual host ports correspond to (i.e., are mapped to) a same physical host port. This virtual host port mapping information may be used to more accurately determine bandwidth consumption and I/O transmission rates on I/O connections along an I/O path including the physical host port, and to adjust the bandwidth consumption and/or I/O transmission rate on one more of these I/O connections according to bandwidth thresholds and I/O count thresholds defined for the I/O path (e.g., for the Physical host port of the I/O path).