Virtual Machine Logical Path Switching Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multipath management systems fail to select the most appropriate logical path for switching, leading to potential repeated path switching and reduced system reliability and safety.
Innovation Solution
A management apparatus and method that collects information from business computers and storage apparatuses, determines an optimal logical path combination based on performance requirements and priority settings, and issues instructions for path switching to ensure all virtual machines meet performance criteria while minimizing path changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the path switching control unit immediately switches the access path when the selected path satisfies the threshold condition, then the response speed is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential repeated switching
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of multiple candidate paths before switching, calculating traffic volumes for all candidate paths and selecting the optimal one in advance. This prevents hasty switching decisions and ensures that the selected path is the most appropriate, thereby improving reliability while maintaining response speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors performance requirements and load conditions continuously, using this feedback to make informed path switching decisions. By considering current system state and predicting future conditions, the system avoids unnecessary switching and ensures reliable operation.
2Device complexity
If the system evaluates only a single candidate path for switching, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates in terms of path selection optimality
Solution Approach 1:
The path evaluation process is segmented into distinct steps: collecting load information from multiple paths, calculating traffic volumes for each candidate path, evaluating performance requirements for each path, and selecting the optimal path. This structured segmentation manages complexity while ensuring thorough evaluation of all candidate paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs more evaluations than strictly necessary by assessing multiple candidate paths rather than just one. This excessive action ensures that the optimal path is selected, improving path selection precision while the modular evaluation process keeps the overall complexity manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A management apparatus and management method capable of enhancing reliability and safety of the entire system are proposed. When any one of virtual machine no longer satisfies its performance requirement, a business computer notifies a management apparatus of an alert; a priority representing a priority level when switching a logical path is set to each virtual machine; and when the management apparatus is notified by the business computer of the alert, the management apparatus determines a combination pattern, which satisfies performance requirements for all the virtual machines and satisfies a requirement for the priority that is set to each virtual machine, and issues an instruction to the corresponding business computer and/or a storage apparatus so that a combination pattern of each logical path from each virtual machine to a logical volume allocated to that virtual machine will become the determined combination pattern.