Virtual Volume Storage Request Routing With Standby Query Offloading

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Virtual volume storage providers experience performance dips due to overwhelming query calls, overshadowing critical API services in scale environments, limiting the transition from traditional VMFS to virtual volume models.

Innovation Solution

Implement an active-standby node configuration where an active node classifies requests according to an allocation policy, redirecting read operations to a standby node for execution, thereby balancing workload and utilizing underutilized resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If virtual volume storage providers service all query calls in a scale environment, then comprehensive data service management is achieved, but performance of critical CRUD operations deteriorates due to overwhelming query calls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata service management capabilityVSAvoidCRUD operation performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments query calls from critical CRUD operations by introducing a dedicated query processing component. This component intercepts and handles query calls separately, preventing them from overwhelming the virtual volume storage provider and degrading CRUD operation performance. The segmentation allows both query processing and critical operations to proceed efficiently without mutual interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If traditional VMFS datastore is used, then simple storage management is maintained, but granular data service management capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage management simplicityVSAvoidgranular data service management

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary component that sits between the virtual volume storage provider and the virtual machine monitor. This intermediary handles query calls and redirects them to appropriate components, enabling granular data service management while maintaining operational simplicity. The intermediary translates and routes requests, allowing complex functionality without increasing operational complexity for users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If active-standby node configuration is implemented, then resource utilization efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidnode configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple nodes into a coordinated active-standby configuration. The active node handles CRUD operations while the standby node processes query calls, and they work together as an integrated system. This merging allows efficient resource utilization through workload distribution while presenting a unified interface that masks the underlying complexity from users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250335109A1Systems and methods of resource utilization in a storage system

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

Methods and systems for reallocating requests in a virtual volume storage provider to leverage underutilized resources are provided. An active node in an active-standby node pair configuration receives a request from a virtual machine monitor. The active node classifies the incoming request according to an allocation policy. If the request satisfies the allocation policy, the active node redirects the request to the standby node for execution. The request response is returned from the standby node to the active node. The active node redirects the response to the virtual machine monitor.