Method and system for updating software packages in a storage system

A method and system are described updating software packages in a storage system. The method includes receiving software packages for upgradation of the software packages of storage arrays from the plurality of storage arrays. Each of the received software packages correspond to a storage array of the plurality of storage arrays. A time window for updating software packages of the one or more storage arrays is identified, based on an average count of input/output operations per second (IOPS) associated with each storage array. Virtual memories are allocated, within the identified time window, to a set of storage arrays from one or more storage arrays, for uploading each of the software packages. The software packages are uploaded in the allocated virtual memories. The software packages of each storage array of the set are simultaneously updated, by receiving each of the software package from the allocated virtual memory of corresponding storage array.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present subject matter is related, in general to updating software packages, and more particularly, but not exclusively to a method and system updating software packages of storage arrays in a data storage system.

BACKGROUND

The conventional storage systems include storage arrays that have the software (or firmware) loaded on them to perform the designated operations relating to the services supported by the storage system. The uploading of the software on the storage arrays is performed by the software management servers, storage controllers, or service processors. The servers and processors are responsible for generating alerts while the controllers and the processors are responsible for handling input/output operations per second (IOPS) and other components that interconnect and work as storage system. All the aforementioned components of the storage systems have their own operating systems to run the aforementioned operation, whose software (or firmware) needs to be updated periodically according to the changing requirements of the supported services.

A conventional system for updating the software of the storage systems, such as Network Attached Storage (NAS)/Storage Area Network (SAN)/Direct Access Storage (DAS) is time consuming and error prone. In certain scenarios, during upgradation the IOPS transactions pertaining to the storage system being updated gets decreased due to the high CPU utilization. Also, post the updation, the storage system needs to be rebooted, which further leads to loss of availability of the critical services, such as online transaction processing (OLTP) services, supported by the storage system. Such a loss of services is highly avoidable as it may lead to interrupts in service provided by vendors to their customer.

In certain other scenarios, high CPU utilization during software update may lead to issues, such as kernel stuck issues, corruption of an operating system image, and/or corruption of package being updated on the storage system. In addition to the above, the aforementioned updation may require technicians to work round the clock that may drive up the overall cost involved in the maintenance required for the storage systems. Another major problem pertaining to software updation is, the difference in the process for performing updation of storage systems of different vendors. Moreover, the process of updating also varies based on the product type and/or the technology type of the storage systems. Hence, technicians of varied expertise are required for performing the updates. This further leads to increased costs for maintaining the storage systems.

It is therefore desirable to have a storage system updation mechanism that automatically performs software updates to the storage arrays, without affecting the operation or usage traffic of the services supported by the storage system.

SUMMARY

According to embodiments illustrated herein, there may be provided a method of updating software packages of a plurality of storage arrays in a data storage system. The method may include receiving, by a software updation module, one or more software packages for updation of the software packages of one or more storage arrays determined from the plurality of storage arrays. Each of the received one or more software packages corresponds to at least a storage array of the plurality of storage arrays. The method may further include identifying, by the software updation module, a time window for updating software packages of the one or more storage arrays, based on at least an average of counts of input/output operations per second (IOPS) associated with each of the one or more storage arrays. The method may further include allocating, by the software updation module, within the identified time window, one or more virtual memories to each of a set of storage arrays determined from the one or more storage arrays. The method may further include uploading, by the software updation module, each of the one or more software package for updation in the allocated virtual memory of the corresponding storage array. The method may further include updating, by the software updation module, within the identified time window, the one or more software packages of each of the set of storage arrays simultaneously, by receiving each of the one or more software packages from the allocated virtual memory of the corresponding storage array.

According to embodiments illustrated herein, there may be provided a system for updating software packages of a plurality of storage arrays in a data storage system. The system may comprise a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor. The memory stores processor instructions, which, on execution, causes the processor to receive one or more software packages for updation of the software packages of one or more storage arrays determined from the plurality of storage arrays. Each of the received one or more software packages corresponds to at least a storage array of the plurality of storage arrays. The processor may be further configured to identify a time window for updating software packages of the one or more storage arrays, based on at least an average of counts of input/output operations per second (IOPS) associated with each of the one or more storage arrays. The processor may be further configured to allocate, within the identified time window, one or more virtual memories to each of a set of storage arrays determined from the one or more storage arrays. The processor may be further configured to upload each of the one or more software package for updation in the allocated virtual memory of the corresponding storage array. The processor may be further configured to update within the identified time window, the one or more software packages of each of the set of storage arrays simultaneously, by receiving each of the one or more software packages from the allocated virtual memory of the corresponding storage array.

According to embodiments illustrated herein, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon, a set of computer-executable instructions for causing a computer, comprising one or more processors, to perform the operations including the steps of receiving one or more software packages for updation of the software packages of one or more storage arrays determined from the plurality of storage arrays. Each of the received one or more software packages corresponds to at least a storage array of the plurality of storage arrays. The operations may further include identifying a time window for updating software packages of the one or more storage arrays, based on at least an average of counts of input/output operations per second (IOPS) associated with each of the one or more storage arrays. The operations may further include allocating, within the identified time window, one or more virtual memories to each of a set of storage arrays determined from the one or more storage arrays. The operations may further include uploading each of the one or more software package for updation in the allocated virtual memory of the corresponding storage array. The operations may further include updating, within the identified time window, the one or more software packages of each of the set of storage arrays simultaneously, by receiving each of the one or more software packages from the allocated virtual memory of the corresponding storage array.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

References to “one embodiment,” “at least one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” “an example,” “for example,” and so on indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

FIG. 1is a block diagram that illustrates a system environment100in which various embodiments of the method and the system may be implemented. The system environment100may include a data storage updation system102, a memory management unit (MMU)104, and a user106. The data storage updation system102, the MMU104, and the user106may be communicatively coupled to each other, via the communication network108.

In an implementation, the data storage updation system102may include a plurality of storage arrays, such as the storage array1021,1022,1023. . .102n. Similarly, the MMU104may include a virtual memory1041,1042,1043, . . .104n. Further, the user106in the network environment may correspond to a user having administrative rights for providing inputs for facilitating the updation of the software packages of one or more storage arrays of the data storage updation system102.

In an implementation, the data storage updation system102may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code for rendering one or more services to client, supported by the software packages installed in the plurality of storage arrays1021, to102n. The data storage updation system102may be further configured to receive one or more software packages for updation of the software packages of one or more storage arrays. Examples of implementation of the data storage updation system102may include, but are not limited to, a Network Attached Storage (NAS), a Storage Area Network (SAN), a Direct Access Storage (DAS), and the like.

In an implementation, the MMU104may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code for providing virtual memories, such as1041,1042,1043, . . .104nfor updating the software of the one or more storage arrays from the plurality storage arrays1021,1022,1023, . . .102n. During updation, each of the storage array to be updated may be assigned a virtual memory by the MMU104. The received software package corresponding to a storage array may be uploaded in the virtual memory assigned to the storage array. The software package may then be received from the virtual memory for updation. Examples of implementation of the MMU104may be based on one or more processors supporting memory management techniques, known in the art.

In an embodiment, the communication network108may correspond to a communication medium through which the data storage updation system102, the MMU104, and the user106may communicate with each other. Such a communication may be performed, in accordance with various wired and wireless communication protocols. Examples of such wired and wireless communication protocols include, but are not limited to, Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), ZigBee, EDGE, infrared (IR), IEEE 802.11, 802.16, 2G, 3G, 4G cellular communication protocols, and/or Bluetooth (BT) communication protocols. The communication network106may include, but is not limited to, the Internet, a cloud network, a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) network, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a telephone line (POTS), and/or a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN).

In operation, one or more software packages may be received by the data storage system102for updation of the software packages of one or more storage arrays. The storage arrays may be determined from the plurality of storage arrays1021to102n. The determination of the one or more storage arrays from the plurality of storage arrays1021to102nmay be based on a notification that is generated upon the receipt of the one or more software packages. Such a notification may be transmitted to the user106, via the communication network108. Further, the data storage system102may receive, from the user106, an input comprising one or more storage arrays (such as1021to1027) from the plurality of storage arrays1021to1021, which are to be updated. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of storage arrays1021to102nis associated with metadata that comprises at least an identification of a storage array and an identification of one or more clusters corresponding to the storage array. Such metadata may be used to identify the target storage arrays and the clusters within the storage arrays, to which the received one or more software packages correspond.

A person of ordinary skill in the art will note that each of the received one or more software packages corresponds to at least a storage array of the plurality of storage arrays. In an embodiment, a software package from the received one or more software packages may correspond to multiple storage arrays from the plurality of storage arrays.

The data storage updation system102may identify a time window for updating software packages of the one or more storage arrays. In an embodiment, the identification of the time window may be based on at least an average of counts of input/output operations per second (IOPS) associated with each of the one or more storage arrays. The identified time window corresponds to a time window for which the average of the counts of IOPS is less than a predefined threshold. Further, identification of the time window for updating the software packages may be based on monitoring the average of the counts of IOPS for a predefined duration. In an embodiment, the predefined threshold and the predefined duration may be user configurable parameters. In another embodiment, the predefined threshold and the predefined duration may be determined empirically.

The data storage system102may further evaluate the health status of each of the storage array from the one or more storage arrays to determine a set of storage arrays (such as1021,1023, and/or1024). The determined set of storage arrays may include the storage arrays for which no error condition is observed based on the evaluation. Alternately, in certain scenarios, the data storage updation system102may automatically troubleshoot an error condition observed during the evaluation of the health status of the storage arrays. In an embodiment, the health status may be evaluated based on one or more predefined health parameters that include, but are not limited to, a health status of a storage cluster of each of the one or more storage arrays, a health status of the management server, a health status of the hardware parts of the data storage system102, a health status of the software parts of the data storage system102.

The data storage updation system102may further allocate one or more virtual memories from the plurality of virtual memories1041to104n, included in the MMU104, to the set of storage arrays. In an embodiment, the allocation of the one or more virtual memories may make use of the metadata for identifying the storage arrays and the clusters, to which the one or more virtual memories are to be allocated. The allocation of the one or more memories may include determining the metadata corresponding to each of the one or more storage arrays. The allocation of one or more virtual memories may further include determining a count of virtual memories to be allocated based on a count of clusters associated with each of the one or more storage arrays. The allocation of the one or more virtual memories may further include creating a connection between each of the virtual memories and the corresponding clusters of each of the one or more storage arrays, for receiving the one or more software packages from the virtual memories, based on the determined metadata.

Based on the allocated one or more virtual memories, the data storage updation system102may upload each of the one or more received software packages in a virtual memory allocated to the corresponding storage array. The allocation of the one or more virtual memories may be performed within the identified time window. The data storage updation system102may further update the one or more software packages of each of the set of storage arrays simultaneously. The updation may be performed within the identified time window. The updation may include receiving each of the one or more software packages from the allocated virtual memory of the corresponding storage array.

In an embodiment, the data storage system102may deallocate the one or more virtual memories upon completion of the updation of the one or more software packages of each of the set of storage arrays. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in an embodiment, the updation of the software packages in the storage arrays may include a software upgrade operation where a software of higher version is updated in the storage arrays. In another embodiment, the updation of the software packages in the storage arrays may include a software downgrade operation where a software of lower version is updated in the storage arrays.

In an embodiment, the data storage updation system102may further re-route an upcoming traffic corresponding to the set of storage arrays that are being updated. The destination of the re-routed traffic may be another set of storage arrays from the plurality of storage arrays1021to102n, for which the one or more software packages are not received. In another embodiment, the re-routing destination of the re-routed traffic may be a set of clusters within the storage arrays of the set of storage arrays that are not undergoing the process of updation of the software package.

FIG. 2is a block diagram that illustrates a data storage updation system102for updating software packages of a plurality of storage arrays in a data storage system, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

The data storage updation system102includes a processor202, a memory204, a central software package repository206, a storage array health evaluation module208, a performance monitoring module210, a performance analysis module212, a storage array cluster identification module214, a virtual memory allocation and deallocation module216, a master routing module218, a software package updation module220, and/or a transceiver222. Further, in an embodiment, the memory204may include a product descriptor database224. The processor202may be communicatively coupled to the memory204, the central software package repository206, the storage array health evaluation module208, the performance monitoring module210, the performance analysis module212, the storage array cluster identification module214, the virtual memory allocation and deallocation module216, the master routing module218, the software package updation module220, and/or the transceiver222.

The processor202includes suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be configured to execute a set of instructions stored in the memory204. The processor202may be implemented based on a number of processor technologies known in the art. Examples of the processor202include, but not limited to, an X86-based processor, a Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) processor, an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) processor, a Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) processor, and/or other processor.

The memory204includes suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be configured to store the set of instructions, which may be executed by the processor202. In an embodiment, the memory204may be configured to store one or more programs, routines, or scripts that may be executed in coordination with the processor202. The memory204may be implemented based on a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), a storage server, and/or a Secure Digital (SD) card.

The central software package repository206includes suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be configured to receive and store one or more software packages (software codes) released by the vendors of each storage array of the plurality of storage arrays1021to102n. The central software package repository206further notifies the user106about the receipt of the software codes. The central software package repository206further receives confirmation from the user106regarding the updation of one or more storage arrays of the plurality of storage arrays1021to102n, with the received software codes.

The storage array health evaluation module208includes suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be configured to evaluate the health status of each of the one or more storage arrays for which upgradation is confirmed by the user106. The health evaluation of each of the one or more storage arrays is performed based on execution of the health check script provided by a vendor of a storage array using the respective storage management port. Such scripts may be stored in the memory204. The evaluation may further be based on inputs provided by a user, such as the user106.

The performance monitoring module210includes suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be configured to monitor the average of the counts of IOPS for a predefined duration. The performance monitoring module210may be further configured to retrieve the predefined duration of monitoring from the memory204. The performance monitoring module210may be further configured to transmit the results of the monitoring to the performance analysis module212.

The performance analysis module212includes suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be configured to analyze the received result of the monitoring to identify a time window for updating the software packages of the one or more storage arrays. The analysis may be based on determining a window in which the average of the counts of IOPS is less than a predefined threshold. Such a predefined threshold may be stored in the memory204.

The storage array cluster identification module214includes suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be configured to determine metadata corresponding to each of a set of storage arrays (identified from the one or more storage arrays). The storage array cluster identification module214may be further configured to determine metadata of the one or more clusters of the set of storage arrays that are to be updated. To that end, the storage array cluster identification module214may retrieve the identification of a storage array and an identification of one or more clusters corresponding to the storage array from the product descriptor database224.

The virtual memory allocation and deallocation module216includes suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be configured to allocate one or more virtual memories to each of the set of storage arrays that are to be updated. The virtual memory allocation and deallocation module216may be configured to determine a count of the virtual memories that are to be allocated. The virtual memory allocation and deallocation module216may be configured to create a connection between each of the virtual memories and the corresponding clusters of each of the set of storage arrays, for receiving the one or more software packages. The virtual memory allocation and deallocation module216may be configured to deallocate the allocated on or more virtual memories once the updation is complete.

The master routing module218includes suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be configured to re-route an upcoming traffic corresponding to the set of storage arrays that bare undergoing an updation. The master routing module218may be further configured to track another set of storage arrays from the plurality of storage arrays1021to102nthat are not undergoing the updation. Based on the tracking, the master routing module218may be configured to divert the incoming traffic to the tracked another set of storage arrays.

The software package updation module220includes suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be configured to receive each of the one or more software packages from the allocated virtual memory of the corresponding storage array. The software package updation module220may be further configured to update the one or more software packages of each of the set of storage arrays simultaneously.

The transceiver222includes of suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be configured to receive the inputs from the user106, via the communication network108. The transceiver222may be further configured to facilitate the communication regarding the allocation and deallocation of the one or more virtual memories of the MMU104, between the data storage updation system102and the MMU104. The transceiver222may be implemented based on one or more known technologies to support wired or wireless communication with the communication network. In an embodiment, the transceiver222may include, but is not limited to, an antenna, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner, one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) device, a coder-decoder (CODEC) chipset, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, and/or a local buffer. The transceiver222may communicate via wireless communication with networks, such as the Internet, an Intranet and/or a wireless network, such as a cellular telephone network, a wireless local area network (LAN) and/or a metropolitan area network (MAN). The wireless communication may use any of a plurality of communication standards, protocols and technologies, such as: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA). Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) (e.g., IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g and/or IEEE 802.11n), voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, a protocol for email, instant messaging, and/or Short Message Service (SMS).

In operation, the central software package repository206may be configured to receive one or more software packages for updation of the software packages of one or more storage arrays. In an embodiment, each of the storage array of the plurality of storage arrays1021to102nmay correspond to a vendor from which a software package (of the received one or more software packages) is received.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of storage arrays1021to102nmay be associated with metadata that comprises at least an identification of a storage array and an identification of one or more clusters corresponding to the storage array. Such metadata may be used by the storage array cluster identification module214to identify the target storage arrays and the clusters within the storage arrays, to which the received one or more software packages correspond. In an embodiment, the metadata may be stored in the product descriptor database224of the memory204.

In an embodiment, the one or more storage arrays that are to be updated may be determined from the plurality of storage arrays1021to102n. In an embodiment, the processor202in conjunction with the central software package repository206may be configured to notify a user (such as the user106) about the receipt of the one or more software package. Such a notification may be transmitted to the user106, via the transceiver222. In an embodiment, the notification may be transmitted to a management server (not shown) that may relay it to the user106.

The processor202may be configured to receive, from the user106, an input comprising a one or more storage arrays from the plurality of storage arrays1021to102n, which are to be updated.

In an embodiment, the processor202in conjunction with the performance monitoring module210may be configured to monitor the IOPS of the one or more storage arrays for the predefined duration. Based on the monitoring, the processor202in conjunction with the performance analysis module212may be configured to determine an average of the counts of IOPS of the one or more storage arrays. Based on the determined average, the performance analysis module212may be configured to identify a time window for which the average of the counts of IOPS is less than the predefined threshold. In an embodiment, the predefined threshold and the predefined duration may be user configurable parameters. In another embodiment, the predefined threshold and the predefined duration may be determined empirically.

The processor202in conjunction with the storage array health evaluation module208may be configured to evaluate the health status of each of the storage array from the one or more storage arrays (such as1021to102n). The evaluation may be aimed at determining the set of storage arrays (such as1021,1023, and/or1024) that could be updated with a corresponding software package received by the central software package repository206. In an embodiment, the health status may be evaluated based on one or more predefined health parameters that include, but are not limited to, a health status of a storage cluster of each of the one or more storage arrays, a health status of the management server, a health status of the hardware parts of the data storage system102, a health status of the software parts of the data storage system102. The evaluation may be based on the one or more scripts stored in the memory204.

In an embodiment, the storage array health evaluation module208may be configured to check different health status of different cluster by performing basic error checks which can be resolved automatically by the processor202. This may further depend on a respective vendor therefore, for each vendor and corresponding architecture, such a functionality may be stored in the form of a program. In scenarios when the processor202identifies any error, it notifies the user106in order to seek confirmation for proceeding further. In another scenario, if the storage array is healthy and fetches no error, then processor202may directly query the product descriptor database224to determine the identification the set of storage arrays as well as corresponding identification of one or more clusters in the one or more storage arrays. Based on the evaluation, the processor202may be configured to determine the set of storage arrays that could be updated.

In an embodiment, based on the identified time window, the received one or more software packages corresponding to the set of storage arrays may be automatically pushed to a management server management server (not shown). In another embodiment, the processor202in conjunction with the storage array cluster identification module214may be configured to retrieve the metadata of the set of storage arrays that are to be updated. The retrieved metadata may include unique addresses of the storage arrays and/or the addresses of the one or more clusters of the set of storage arrays.

Based on the retrieved metadata, the processor202in conjunction with the virtual memory allocation and deallocation module216may be configured to allocate one or more virtual memories from the plurality of virtual memories1041to104nto the set of storage arrays. The allocation of the one or more virtual memories may include creating a connection between each of the virtual memories and the corresponding clusters of each of the set of storage arrays, for receiving the one or more software packages from the virtual memories, based on the determined metadata. Based on the allocated one or more virtual memories, the virtual memory allocation and deallocation module216may be configured to upload each of the one or more received software packages in a virtual memory allocated to the corresponding storage array. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the allocation of the one or more virtual memories may be performed within the identified time window.

In an embodiment, while upgrading a storage arrays, huge amount of memory may be required. The allocation of virtual memory is therefore desirable in such a scenario such that virtual memory is shared using the memory-ID of each memory chunk allocated to different vendors and users. As a consequence, the while the one or more software packages are uploaded using the allocated one or more virtual memories, the storage array does not hang, thereby overcoming issues, such as latency issue and/or crashing issues. Further, such an allocation results in sharing of resources and computation cycles, which is a desirable aspect in such systems.

In an embodiment, the processor202in conjunction with the package updation module220may be configured to receive the one or more software packages for updation, from the allocated one or more virtual memories. In another embodiment, the package updation module220may be configured to receive the one or more software packages for updation from the management server (not shown). Based on the received one or more software packages, the package updation module220may be configured to update the one or more software packages of each of the set of storage arrays simultaneously. The updation may be performed within the identified time window.

A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in an embodiment, the updation of the software packages in the storage arrays may include a software upgrade operation where a software of higher version is updated in the storage arrays. In another embodiment, the updation of the software packages in the storage arrays may include a software downgrade operation where a software of lower version is updated in the storage arrays.

In an embodiment, the processor202in conjunction with the virtual memory allocation and deallocation module216may be configured to deallocate the one or more virtual memories upon completion of the updation of the one or more software packages of each of the set of storage arrays.

In an embodiment, the processor202in conjunction with the master routing module218may be configured to re-route an upcoming traffic corresponding to the set of storage arrays that are being updated. The destination of the re-routed traffic may be another set of storage arrays from the plurality of storage arrays1021to102n, for which the one or more software packages are not received. As an example, the storage arrays1028to102nmay correspond to storage arrays to which a suddenly arrived IOPS traffic may be routed. In another embodiment, the re-routing destination of the re-routed traffic may be a set of clusters within the storage arrays (1028to102n) that are not undergoing the process of updation of the software package. In an embodiment, the re-routing of the IOPS may be performed based on one or more machine learning algorithm, known in the art.

FIGS. 3A and 3Bcollectively depict a flowchart illustrating a method300for updation of software packages of a plurality of storage arrays in a data storage system, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method starts at step302and proceeds to step304.

At step304, one or more software packages for upgradation of the software packages of one or more storage arrays may be received by the data storage updation system102. The one or more storage arrays determined from the plurality of storage arrays. Further, each of the received one or more software packages corresponds to at least a storage array of the plurality of storage arrays.

At step306, a notification regarding the receipt of one or more software packages may be transmitted to a user, such as the user106, by the data storage updation system102. Such software packages may correspond to a new version of a software package has been released by an engineering team, for upgradation. In an embodiment, the notification may be transmitted to the user106via the storage management server310that is responsible to take care of all the alerts.

At step308, it may be determined, by the data storage updation system102, whether a confirmation for updation of the one or more of storage arrays (from the plurality of storage arrays) is received from the user106. In instances, when a positive confirmation is received, the control passes to step310. In instances, when a negative confirmation is received, the control passes back to step306.

At step310, a monitoring of an average of a count of IOPS of the one or more storage arrays may be performed by the data storage updation system102, for a predefined duration. At step312, a time window may be determined by the data storage updation system102, for which the average of the count of TOPS is less than a predefined threshold.

At step314, a health status of the one or more storage arrays may be evaluated by the data storage updation system102, to determine a set of storage arrays that may be updated with the received one or more software packages. At step316, it may be determined whether an error condition exists in a storage array based on the evaluation. In instances when an error condition exists, the error condition is resolved using troubleshooting operation performed at step318. The control passes to step316.

At step320, metadata of the set of storage arrays may be retrieved from the memory204. At step322, a count of clusters of the set of storage arrays, and a count of the set of storage arrays, may be determined. At step324, one or more virtual memories may be allocated to each of the set of storage arrays, based on the determined count of the clusters and count of the set of storage arrays. At step326, one or more received software packages may be uploaded on the allocated one or more virtual memories.

At step328, the updating of the one or more software packages may be performed on the set of storage arrays based on reception of a software package of a storage array, from a corresponding virtual memory. At step330, the IOPS traffic corresponding to the set of storage arrays may be re-routed to the remaining storage arrays from the plurality of storage arrays, which are not undergoing updation. At step332, the one or more virtual memories may be deallocated after the completion of the updation. Control passes to end step334.

Computer System

FIG. 4illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary computer system for implementing embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. Variations of computer system401may be used for performing optical character recognition on an image including a plurality of printed characters. The computer system401may comprise a central processing unit (“CPU” or “processor”)402. Processor402may comprise at least one data processor for executing program components for executing user- or system-generated requests. A user may include a person, a person using a device such as such as those included in this disclosure, or such a device itself. The processor may include specialized processing units such as integrated system (bus) controllers, memory management control units, floating point units, graphics processing units, digital signal processing units, etc. The processor may include a microprocessor, such as AMD ATHLON, DURON or OPTERON, ARM's application, embedded or secure processors, IBM POWERPC, INTEL'S CORE, ITANIUM, XEON, CELERON or other line of processors, etc. The processor402may be implemented using mainframe, distributed processor, multi-core, parallel, grid, or other architectures. Some embodiments may utilize embedded technologies like application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc.

Using the I/O interface403, the computer system401may communicate with one or more I/O devices. For example, the input device404may be an antenna, keyboard, mouse, joystick, (infrared) remote control, camera, card reader, fax machine, dongle, biometric reader, microphone, touch screen, touchpad, trackball, sensor (e.g., accelerometer, light sensor, GPS, gyroscope, proximity sensor, or the like), stylus, scanner, storage device, transceiver, video device/source, visors, etc. Output device405may be a printer, fax machine, video display (e.g., cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode (LED), plasma, or the like), audio speaker, etc. In some embodiments, a transceiver406may be disposed in connection with the processor402. The transceiver may facilitate various types of wireless transmission or reception. For example, the transceiver may include an antenna operatively connected to a transceiver chip (e.g., TEXAS INSTRUMENTS WiLink WL1283, BROADCOM BCM4750IUB8, INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES X-GOLD 618-PMB9800, or the like), providing IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n, BLUETOOTH, FM, global positioning system (GPS), 2G/3G HSDPA/HSUPA communications, etc.

In some embodiments, the processor402may be disposed in communication with a communication network408via a network interface407. The network interface407may communicate with the communication network408. The network interface may employ connection protocols including, without limitation, direct connect, Ethernet (e.g., twisted pair 10/100/1000 Base T), transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP), token ring, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/x, etc. The communication network408may include, without limitation, a direct interconnection, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), wireless network (e.g., using Wireless Application Protocol), the Internet, etc. Using the network interface407and the communication network408, the computer system401may communicate with devices409,410, and411. These devices may include, without limitation, personal computer(s), server(s), fax machines, printers, scanners, various mobile devices such as cellular telephones, smartphones (e.g., APPLE IPHONE, BLACKBERRY, ANDROID-based phones, etc.), tablet computers, eBook readers (AMAZON KINDLE, NOOK, etc.), laptop computers, notebooks, gaming consoles (MICROSOFT XBOX, NINTENDO DS, SONY PLAYSTATION, etc.), or the like. In some embodiments, the computer system501may itself embody one or more of these devices.

The advantages of the disclosed method and system include the error handling capabilities of the system during a software update of storage systems. Further, the disclosed technique enables diversion of traffic to storage arrays not undergoing the update. This saves the system from any crashes that may happened due to an influx of a large volume of traffic at the time of updation. The aforementioned further allocates virtual memories in for updation. This helps in overcoming the crash issues and the network latency issues. This is because the software updation is a memory intensive process that may drain out the memory from the system during updates. Under such circumstances the presence of a virtual memory provides extra shared resources that may prevent the system from encountering the aforementioned issue. Furthermore, the disclosed technique is method for a simultaneous automatic update of software of storage arrays that may correspond to various vendors. The disclosed technique performs troubleshooting before upgrading and thus enables a reduction in the troubleshooting workloads. Additionally, most of times while updation, the storage system needs to shut down. But with the help of disclosed technique no such shut down will be required.

The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “the embodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “some embodiments”, and “one embodiment” mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the invention(s)” unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “including”, “comprising”, “having” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The present disclosure may be realized in hardware, or a combination of hardware and software. The present disclosure may be realized in a centralized fashion, in at least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion, where different elements may be spread across several interconnected computer systems. A computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein may be suited. A combination of hardware and software may be a general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when loaded and executed, may control the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein. The present disclosure may be realized in hardware that comprises a portion of an integrated circuit that also performs other functions.

A person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the systems, modules, and sub-modules have been illustrated and explained to serve as examples and should not be considered limiting in any manner. It will be further appreciated that the variants of the above disclosed system elements, modules, and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined to create other different systems or applications.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any of the aforementioned steps and/or system modules may be suitably replaced, reordered, or removed, and additional steps and/or system modules may be inserted, depending on the needs of a particular application. In addition, the systems of the aforementioned embodiments may be implemented using a wide variety of suitable processes and system modules, and are not limited to any particular computer hardware, software, middleware, firmware, microcode, and the like. The claims can encompass embodiments for hardware and software, or a combination thereof.