Virtual Persistent Volumes for Container Storage Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container storage solutions lack flexibility in provisioning storage configurations and data services, often limiting users to a single type of storage and disrupting access when attempting to concatenate multiple volumes, which fails to meet the desired levels of storage configuration flexibility and data services in container environments.
Innovation Solution
A containerized storage virtualization system that aggregates various types of storage into a virtual persistent volume, decoupling underlying storage from how data is presented to the containerized application, using a hierarchical structure like a Merkle tree and providing a mount point that can be accessed through different storage access abstractions, enabling flexible storage configuration and robust data services such as tiering, migration, and snapshot-based backup without disrupting user access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple storage volumes are concatenated together, then storage capacity is increased, but user access to data is disrupted and flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtualization layer as an intermediary between the containerized application and the underlying storage volumes. This virtual persistent volume manager aggregates multiple physical storage volumes into a single virtual volume, allowing users to access data through a unified interface without disruption. The virtualization layer handles the complexity of concatenating multiple volumes while presenting a simple, consistent view to the application.
2Device complexity
If a single type of storage is provisioned, then system simplicity is maintained, but storage configuration flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual persistent volume manager is designed to work with multiple types of storage volumes (local, remote, different file systems) through a unified interface. This multi-functional approach allows the system to maintain simplicity at the application level while providing flexibility in the underlying storage configuration. The virtualization layer abstracts the diversity of storage types, enabling users to mix and match different storage technologies without increasing operational complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If data services are performed on concatenated volumes, then data services capability is improved, but user access to data is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage management functionality into distinct layers: the virtualization layer handles data services (tiering, migration, snapshots) while the application layer maintains uninterrupted access to data. By separating these concerns, the system can perform complex data services on the underlying volumes without affecting user access. The virtual persistent volume acts as a buffer that isolates service operations from the application.
Data Source
AI summary
Example implementations relate to virtual persistent volumes for containerized applications. In an example, a plurality of different storage mounts are acquired from a mix of storage types. A containerized storage virtualization system creates and manages a virtual persistent volume that aggregates the acquired storage mounts. A mount point of the virtual persistent volume is provided to the containerized application. The virtual persistent volume includes a hierarchical structure that relates data objects of the containerized application by content-based signatures to a root object.