US 7,370,089 B2Granted

Autonomic learning method to load balance output transfers of two peer nodes

AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation

InventorsKenneth Wayne Boyd, Kenneth Fairclough Day, III, Philip Matthew Dudas, John Jay Wolfgang

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Abstract

Disclosed are a system, a method, and a computer program product to provide for the optimization of the output transfer load balance between the peer computers transferring data to one or more storage devices. The peer computers receive, organize and transfer the data to storage devices. The data set is composed of a plurality of data transfers. After an initial division of the data transfers between the two peers, each peer will have assigned responsibility for a number of data transfers. If the one of the peer computers completes offloading transactions earlier than the other peer, then the peer that is still transferring data will employ the other peer to execute a portion of the remaining data transfers. The operation of the system is symmetrical in that either peer may assist the other peer depending upon which peer has idle time. In addition the operation is autonomous and self-adjusting resulting in the peer nodes optimizing the size of the portion of data transfers that are reassigned during the operation of the invention resulting in the minimization of idle time for either peer. The self-adjusting feature allows the system to react to changing conditions that affect data transfer rates to the storage devices.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method for a first peer and a second peer to share a plurality of data transfers to one or more storage devices, said first peer and said second peer each having access to said data transfers, where said method comprises the steps of:

1.1. said first peer transferring a first number of data transfers to said one or more storage devices;
1.2. said second peer transferring a second number of data transfers to said one or more storage devices;
1.3. in response to said first peer completing said transfer of said first number of data transfers to said one or more storage devices, said first peer assisting said second peer with said second number of data transfers;
1.4. in response to said second peer completing said transfer of said second number of data transfers to said one or more storage devices, said second peer assisting said first peer with said first number of data transfers;
and
1.5. in response to said first peer and said second peer not completing all data transfers, returning to step 1.3;
wherein step 1.3 further comprises the steps of:
2.1. determining if said second peer needs assistance to transfer said second number of data transfers to said one or more storage devices;
2.2. in response to determining that said second peer needs assistance to transfer said second number of data transfers to said one or more storage devices;
2.2.1. assigning a portion of said second number of data transfers from said second peer to said first peer as said first number of data transfers;
2.2.2. adjusting a first peer ratio and a second peer ratio;
and
2.2.3. said first peer transferring said portion of said second number of data transfers to said one or more storage devices.

10 more elements

An article of manufacture comprising a data storage medium tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus to perform method steps for a first peer and a second peer to share a plurality of data transfers to one or more storage devices, said first peer and said second peer each having access to said data transfers, said method steps comprising:

8.1. said first peer transferring a first number of data transfers to said one or more storage devices;
8.2. said second peer transferring a second number of data transfers to said one or more storage devices;
8.3. in response to said first peer completing said transfer of said first number of data transfers to said one or more storage devices, said first peer assisting said second peer with said second number of data transfers;
8.4. in response to said second peer completing said transfer of said second number of data transfers to said one or more storage devices, said second peer assisting said first peer with said first number of data transfers;
and
8.5. in response to said first peer and said second peer not completing all data transfers, returning to step 8.3;
wherein step 8.3 further comprises the steps of:
9.1. determining if said second peer needs assistance to transfer said second number of data transfers to said one or more storage devices;
9.2. in response to determining that said second peer needs assistance to transfer said second number of data transfers to said one or more storage devices:
9.2.1. assigning a portion of said second number of data transfers from said second peer to said first peer as said first number of data transfers;
9.2.2. adjusting a first peer ratio and a second peer ratio;
and
9.2.3. said first peer transferring said portion of said second number of data transfers to said one or more storage devices.

10 more elements

A data storage system comprising:

one or more storage devices;
a storage management device for providing access to said one or more storage devices;
a first peer for transferring data to said one or more storage devices;
a second peer for transferring data to said one or more storage devices, wherein said first peer and said second peer are programmed to perform method steps for said first peer and said second peer to share a plurality of data transfers to said one or more storage devices, said first peer and said second peer each having access to said data transfers, comprising the steps of:
15.1. said first peer transferring a first number of data transfers to said one or more storage devices;
15.2. said second peer transferring a second number of data transfers to said one or more storage devices;
15.3. in response to said first peer completing said transfer of said first number of data transfers to said one or more storage devices, said first peer assisting said second peer with said second number of data transfers;
15.4. in response to said second peer completing said transfer of said second number of data transfers to said one or more storage devices, said second peer assisting said first peer with said first number of data transfers;
and
15.5. in response to said first peer and said second peer not completing all data transfers, returning to step 15.3;
wherein step 15.3 further comprises the steps of:
16.1. determining if said second peer needs assistance to transfer said second number of data transfers to said one or more storage devices;
16.2. in response to determining that said second peer needs assistance to transfer said second number of data transfers to said one or more storage devices:
16.2.1. assigning a portion of said second number of data transfers from said second peer to said first peer as said first number of data transfers;
16.2.2. adjusting a first peer ratio and a second peer ratio;
and 16.2.3. said first peer transferring said portion of said second number of data transfers to said one or more storage devices.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/617,932Filed 11 Jul 2003
Published: US 2005/0021575 A127 Jan 2005
Granted: 6 May 2008
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

G06F 11/2071
By mirroring: using a plurality of controllers
G06F 16/1837
Implemented based on peer-to-peer networks, e.g. gnutella: management specially adapted to peer-to-peer storage networks
G06F 11/2064
By mirroring: while ensuring consistency
G06F 11/2089
Where persistent mass storage functionality or persistent mass storage control functionality is redundant: redundant storage control functionality