Asymmetric load balancing for RAID storage systems
View Patent ↗The instant invention broadly contemplates balancing of asymmetric RAID arrays based on application usage patterns. The instantly claimed invention broadly contemplates balancing the type of workload and delivery of the work load in asymmetric RAID arrays by intelligently implementing different types of applications on disks strategically positioned to deliver workload to the RAID channel that is most capable of handling the work load. The invention makes use of the fact that some applications are more large block, sequential transfer dependant while other applications are more small block, high random, high IOP dependent, and places these applications accordingly within the asymmetric RAID array.
1. A system comprising:
at least one processor;
an asymmetric RAID operatively connected to the at least one processor, the asymmetric RAID comprising:
at least one RAID card; and
a heavy side of the asymmetric RAID having a first set of storage devices reserved for a first application type;
wherein the asymmetric RAID further comprises:
a light side of the asymmetric RAID having a second set of storage devices reserved for a second application type, wherein said second set of storage devices comprise a same type of storage device as used for said first set of storage devices, and wherein said second set of storage devices are fewer in number than said first set of storage devices.
2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein:
the second application type comprises large block, sequential transfer dependent applications;
the first application type comprises small block, high random transfer dependent applications; and
the first set and second set of storage devices comprise hard disk drives.
3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the asymmetric RAID array further comprises an interposer card, the interposer card being configured to connect one or more of the first set and second set of storage devices and the at least one RAID card.
4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein:
the at least one RAID card comprises two RAID channels;
the first set of storage devices utilize a first one of the two RAID channels; and
the second set of storage devices utilize a second one of the two RAID channels.
5. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the first set and second set of storage devices have the first and second application types implemented thereon to maximize application workload balancing.
6. The system according to claim 1 , wherein:
the first set of storage devices comprises an email server; and
the second set of storage devices comprises a video server.
7. The system according to claim 1 , wherein:
the first set of storage devices comprises two hard disk drive 4 packs; and
the second set of storage devices comprises one hard disk drive 4 pack.
8. A method comprising:
reserving a heavy side of an asymmetric RAID having a first set of storage devices for a first application type; and
implementing the first application type on the first set of storage devices;
further comprising:
reserving a light side of the asymmetric RAID having a second set of storage devices for a second application type; and
implementing the second application type on the second set of storage devices, wherein said second set of storage devices comprise a same type of storage device as used for said first set of storage devices, and wherein said second set of storage devices are fewer in number than said first set of storage devices.
9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein:
the second application type comprises large block, sequential transfer dependent applications;
the first application type comprises small block, high random transfer dependent applications; and
the first set and second set of storage devices comprise hard disk drives.
10. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising providing an interposer card, wherein the interposer card connects one or more of the first set and second set of storage devices to at least one RAID card.
11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein:
the at least one RAID card comprises two RAID channels;
the first set of storage devices utilize a first one of the two RAID channels; and
the second set of storage devices utilize a second one of the two RAID channels.
12. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the first set and second set of storage devices having the first and second application types implemented thereon maximize application workload balancing.
13. The method according to claim 8 , wherein:
the first set of storage devices comprises an email server; and
the second set of storage devices comprises a video server.
14. The method according to claim 8 , wherein:
the first set of storage devices comprises two hard disk drive 4 packs; and
the second set of storage devices comprises one hard disk drive 4 pack.
15. A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions that when executed by a processor of the machine enable the machine to:
reserve a heavy side of an asymmetric RAID having a first set of storage devices for a first application type; and
implement the first application type on the first set of storage devices;
wherein the program of instructions further enable the machine to:
reserve a light side of the asymmetric RAID having a second set of storage devices for a second application type, the second application type comprising large block, sequential transfer dependent applications; and
implement the second application type on the second set of storage devices, wherein said second set of storage devices comprise a same type of storage device as used for said first set of storage devices, and wherein said second set of storage devices are fewer in number than said first set of storage devices.
16. The program storage device according to claim 15 , wherein:
the first application type comprises small block, high random transfer dependent applications; and
the first set and second set of storage devices comprise hard disk drives.
17. The program storage device according to claim 15 , wherein:
the first set of storage devices comprises two hard disk drive 4 packs; and
the second set of storage devices comprises one hard disk drive 4 pack.