Multipath I/O proxy device-specific module

#The present description relates to data storage, more specifically, to systems, methods, and machine-readable media for updating a multipath device module corresponding to a data storage device.

#Networks and distributed storage allow data and storage space to be shared between devices located anywhere a connection is available. These implementations may range from a single machine offering a shared drive over a home network to an enterprise-class cloud storage array with multiple copies of data distributed throughout the world. Larger implementations may incorporate Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices, Storage Area Network (SAN) devices, and other configurations of storage elements and controllers in order to provide data and manage its flow. Improvements in distributed storage have given rise to a cycle where applications demand increasing amounts of data delivered with high availability.

#Host computing devices may include a multipath infrastructure to simplify interoperability with storage devices and provide high availability. At the host level, the approach taken by operating system vendors may vary. However, operating systems generally are consistent in that the generic aspects of multipath management, such as virtualizing storage devices, are handled by the operating system stack. Features more specific to particular storage solutions, such as I/O routing, failover, load balancing, and other vendor-specific behavior may be implemented by plug-ins to a multipath management framework. With respect to the WINDOWS operating system from Microsoft Corporation, the multipath management framework includes Multipath I/O (MPIO) and the plug-ins include device-specific modules (DSMs).

#The present disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures.

#FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary storage architecture, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

#FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a method for modifying a device-specific module, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

#All examples and illustrative references are non-limiting and should not be used to limit the claims to specific implementations and embodiments described herein and their equivalents. For simplicity, reference numbers may be repeated between various examples. This repetition is for clarity only and does not dictate a relationship between the respective embodiments except where explicitly noted. Finally, in view of this disclosure, particular features described in relation to one aspect or embodiment may be applied to other disclosed aspects or embodiments of the disclosure, even though not specifically shown in the drawings or described in the text.

#Various embodiments provide a system, method, and machine-readable medium for a host computing system to provide device-specific modules (DSMs) and proxy DSMs for one or more storage devices of a storage system. Specifically, the host computing system may provide a proxy DSM that is accessed by MPIO and that redirects communications received from MPIO to a DSM. This is beneficial for allowing the DSM to be updated while maintaining high-availability of the host computing system and the storage system.

#The embodiments disclosed herein may provide several advantages. First, a host computing system that is configured to include the proxy DSM and the DSM may apply updates to the DSM without requiring a reboot. Second, a host computing system that is configured to include the proxy DSM and the DSM may apply updates to the DSM without requiring disconnection of the storage device managed by the DSM. Of course, it is understood that these features and advantages are shared among the various examples herein and that no one feature or advantage is required for any particular embodiment.