US20250315351
2025-10-09
Physics
G06F11/1662
The patent application outlines methods and apparatuses for the online replacement of a node enclosure within a storage array system. The system comprises node-pairs housed in enclosures, where each node is connected to a network and also linked externally to its pair. This external connectivity allows for independent communication between nodes, enabling enclosure replacement without disrupting network communication.
In traditional storage arrays, node-pairs are housed in enclosures with internal midplanes facilitating inter-node communication via PCIe links. A failure in the midplane necessitates taking both nodes offline to replace the enclosure, due to the internal nature of these connections. The presented invention addresses this limitation by enabling external connections that allow nodes to remain online during enclosure replacement.
The invention introduces a method where nodes within an enclosure can communicate externally, allowing for seamless replacement of the enclosure. This involves disconnecting and moving nodes between enclosures while maintaining their communication through external interconnects. Synchronization steps ensure data integrity during this process, allowing for uninterrupted operation.
The system includes multiple node enclosures connected by a network, such as InfiniBand, with each node-pair capable of independent communication. Interconnects are used externally to link nodes within a pair, bypassing the need for internal midplane connections. This setup enables replacing an enclosure without affecting the overall system's communication capabilities.
Key features include the use of PCIe interfaces for inter-node connections and host channel adapters for network access. Nodes are designed to mirror each other’s storage, with redundant interconnects ensuring reliability. The network may be unswitched or based on various configurations like LAN or WAN, providing flexibility in deployment and maintenance.