Storage Virtual Machine Configuration Locking for Snapshot Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In distributed storage systems, configuration changes to storage virtual machines can be unpredictable due to unauthorized modifications and inaccuracies during snapshot captures, leading to inconsistent backups and potential operational issues during disaster recovery.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where storage controller computing devices lock configuration settings, allowing only authorized administrators to apply changes, ensuring that changes are applied only when settings are unlocked, and queuing configuration change operations during snapshot captures to maintain consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If configuration settings are locked during snapshot capture, then snapshot accuracy is improved, but configuration change operations cannot be applied during the capture process
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary locking of configuration settings before snapshot capture begins. This preliminary action ensures that the configuration state is fixed and consistent throughout the snapshot process, preventing any modifications during capture while still allowing changes to be applied after the snapshot completes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the configuration locking state based on the snapshot process phase. Configuration settings are locked during the snapshot capture phase to ensure accuracy, then automatically unlocked afterward to allow configuration changes to be applied, creating a dynamic transition between locked and unlocked states.
2Adaptability or versatility
If configuration changes are allowed freely, then operational flexibility is improved, but unpredictability and inconsistency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the state parameter of configuration settings from unlocked to locked based on the operational phase. During snapshot capture, the locked state prevents modifications ensuring predictability, while outside of snapshot operations, the unlocked state allows flexibility for configuration changes to be applied.
3Speed
If configuration changes are applied during snapshot capture, then operational responsiveness is improved, but snapshot accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary locking before snapshot capture to prevent configuration changes during the process. This ensures that even though configuration changes cannot be applied during capture (temporarily reducing responsiveness), the snapshot accuracy is maintained by capturing a consistent configuration state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls the application of configuration changes based on the snapshot phase. Configuration changes are held in a queue during snapshot capture and automatically applied after the snapshot completes, dynamically adjusting responsiveness based on the operational phase while protecting snapshot accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, non-transitory computer readable medium and storage controller computing device that receives a configuration change request for a storage virtual machine, the configuration change request including a configuration change operation. A determination is made when configuration settings for the storage virtual machine are locked. The configuration change operation is applied to the configuration settings for the storage virtual machine when the determining indicates the configuration settings for the storage virtual machine are not locked. A failure message is sent in response to the configuration change request when the configuration settings for the storage virtual machine are determined to be locked.