Workload Allocation in Data Center Storage Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

In data centers with multiple storage systems, workload allocation is challenging due to the need to balance performance impact and deployment compliance, often requiring significant configuration or reconfiguration efforts.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that select storage systems based on a combination of performance impact scores and deployment scores to optimize workload allocation, considering both performance and deployment compatibility, thereby minimizing configuration efforts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If workload allocation is based on performance impact scores alone, then storage system performance is optimized, but deployment compliance and configuration effort are not considered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkload allocation efficiencyVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces deployment scores as an additional parameter to complement performance impact scores. This dual-parameter approach transforms the workload allocation decision-making process by incorporating deployment compliance metrics, configuration effort estimates, and policy adherence factors alongside traditional performance metrics, thereby resolving the contradiction between performance optimization and deployment complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The workload allocation system acts as an intermediary that evaluates multiple storage systems against both performance and deployment criteria. It mediates between the competing requirements of performance optimization and deployment simplicity by selecting storage systems that achieve an optimal balance between these two dimensions through a unified scoring mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If workload allocation considers deployment scores and compliance, then configuration effort is reduced, but the complexity of the selection process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment easeVSAvoidselection process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple evaluation criteria including deployment compliance, configuration effort, policy adherence, and performance impact into a unified workload allocation system. This consolidation integrates previously separate decision-making factors into a single comprehensive framework that automatically evaluates storage systems across all dimensions simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The workload allocation system performs self-evaluation by automatically calculating deployment scores, assessing configuration requirements, and determining policy compliance without manual intervention. The system autonomously compares multiple storage systems against the unified criteria and selects the optimal target, eliminating the need for complex manual selection processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If storage systems are selected based on combined performance impact and deployment scores, then workload allocation optimality is improved, but the calculation and evaluation process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkload allocation optimalityVSAvoidevaluation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary evaluation by pre-calculating deployment scores, configuration effort estimates, and policy compliance metrics for each storage system before the actual workload allocation decision. This advance preparation creates a ready-to-use evaluation framework that simplifies the final selection process while ensuring comprehensive assessment across all critical dimensions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10976935B1Method and apparatus for assigning an allocated workload in a data center having multiple storage systems
Publication Date: 2021.04.13 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC
  • US10976935B1 patent drawing
  • US10976935B1 patent drawing
  • US10976935B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method and apparatus for assigning an allocated workload in a data center having multiple storage systems includes selecting one or more storage systems to be assigned the allocated workload based on a combination of performance impact scores and deployment scores. By considering both performance impact and deployment effort, the allocated workload is able to be assigned with a view not only toward storage system performance, but also with a view toward how deployment on a particular storage system would comply with data center policies and the amount of configuration effort it would take to enable the workload to be implemented on the target storage system. This enables workloads to be allocated within the data center while minimizing the required amount of configuration or reconfiguration required to implement the workload allocation within the data center.