Virtual Storage Management via Logical Disk Abstraction

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional network storage systems face limitations in managing large capacity and high availability storage due to centralized control bottlenecks, high management costs, and complexity in storage management across multiple systems, which requires a distributed management mechanism that can operate independently of physical storage resources.

Innovation Solution

A virtualized storage management system that uses logical disk objects and virtual disk objects to abstract physical storage capacity, allowing users to interact with virtual storage containers without knowledge of underlying physical disks, enabling distributed management and flexible allocation of storage resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If centralized control system is implemented to manage storage services across multiple subsystems, then storage management capability is improved, but system bottlenecks and vulnerability to failure increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage management capabilityVSAvoidsystem vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the centralized control system into multiple distributed storage management agents, each capable of independently managing storage resources. This segmentation eliminates the single point of failure in centralized systems while maintaining comprehensive storage management capability across the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a storage virtualization layer that acts as an intermediary between hosts and physical storage devices. This virtualization layer abstracts the underlying storage infrastructure, allowing distributed management without requiring a centralized control point, thus improving reliability while maintaining management capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If physical storage disks are directly managed by attached servers, then data access control is improved, but flexibility and management costs worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access controlVSAvoidstorage flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a storage virtualization layer that acts as an intermediary between hosts and physical storage devices. This virtualization layer abstracts the underlying storage infrastructure, allowing distributed management without requiring a centralized control point, thus improving reliability while maintaining management capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a virtualization dimension between physical storage and host access, transforming the traditional direct-attached storage model into a virtualized storage model. This additional layer enables flexible resource allocation and management while maintaining simplified access control through abstracted interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Quantity of substance

If storage capacity is expanded across multiple physical systems, then storage capacity is improved, but management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidmanagement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a storage virtualization layer that acts as an intermediary between hosts and physical storage devices. This virtualization layer abstracts the underlying storage infrastructure, allowing distributed management without requiring a centralized control point, thus improving reliability while maintaining management capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal storage management interface that can manage diverse physical storage devices through a common virtualization layer. This multi-functional approach allows the system to handle different storage devices and protocols through a single standardized interface, reducing management complexity while expanding capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8046469B2System and method for interfacing with virtual storage

Publication Date: 2011.10.25 HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEV LP

AI summary

A management interface for a virtualized storage system including a virtualized logical disk object representing a virtual storage container, wherein the logical disk is an abstract representation of physical storage capacity provided by plurality of physical stores. A virtual disk object represents a virtual storage container. The virtual disk object is an abstract representation of one or more logical disk objects, the virtual disk object including an exposed management interface. Wherein the virtual disk object is managed through the management interface to select the one or more logical disk objects represented by the virtual disk object.