Introduction to Disk Modules of
Distributed Storage
Introduction to Disk Modules of
Distributed Storage
Purpose
This document describes the classification, functions, and locations of disk modules used in
distributed storage systems.
Classification of Disk Modules in Distributed
Storage Systems
Classification by Interface Type
Disk modules are classified into SAS disks, SATA disks, PCIe (NVMe) disks, and M.2 disks by
interface type. For details, see Table 1-1 and Figure 1-1.
Table 1-1 Disk classification table by interface type
Interface Type Disk Type
SAS SAS HDD and SAS SSD
SATA SATA HDD and SATA SSD
PCIe (NVMe) NVMe SSD and half-palm NVMe SSD
M.2 M.2 SSD
Figure 1-1 Disk classification diagram by interface type
Classification by Working Principle
Disk modules are classified into HDDs and SSDs by working principle. For details, see Table 1-
2 and Figure 1-2.
Table 1-2 Disk classification table by working principle
Principle Type Disk Type
HDD SAS HDD and SATA HDD
SSD SAS SSD, SATA SSD, NVMe SSD, half-palm NVMe SSD, and M.2
SSD
Figure 1-2 Disk classification diagram by working principle
Function of Disk Modules in Distributed Storage
Main Storage Disk Module
Main storage disk modules, for example, SAS HDDs, SATA HDDs, SAS SSDs, NVMe SSDs, and
half-palm NVMe SSDs, provide storage media for the system to store system data.
Cache Disk Module
Cache disk modules, for example, NVMe SSDs, SAS SSDs, and half-palm NVMe SSDs, provide
cache media for the system. They are configured for local clients to provide cache space for users to
read and write data on distributed storage gateways, reducing the latency for users to access shared
file data.
System Disk Module
System disk modules, for example, SAS HDDs, SATA SSDs, and M.2 SSDs, provide system
partitions for the system to store the boot information of the storage software and operating system,
ensuring the proper running of the storage software.
Metadata Disk Module
A metadata disk module provides storage media for the system to store cluster management
metadata, which is irrelevant to service I/O data. The system uses any idle disk module (main
storage disk module or cache disk module, and a main storage disk module is recommended) as the
metadata disk module. A SAS HDD, SATA HDD, SAS SSD, NVMe SSD, or half-palm NVMe SSD
can be used as a metadata disk module.
Disk Module Used for the Data Pilot Service
Disk modules used for the data pilot service, for example, SAS HDDs, SATA HDDs, SAS SSDs,
NVMe SSDs, and half-palm NVMe SSDs, provide the metadata indexing service for the system. The
system uses one or more idle main storage disk modules that are not added to a storage pool as the
disk modules for the data pilot service.
Locations of Disk Modules in a Distributed Storage
Device
Main Storage Disk Module
Storage device type 1: Figure 1-3 shows that the main storage disks are located in slots 0
to 79 in a storage device.
Figure 1-3 Disk slot numbers (OceanStor Pacific 9950)
Storage device type 2: Figure 1-4 shows that the main storage disks are located in slots 0
to 119 in a storage device.
Figure 1-4 Disk slot numbers (OceanStor Pacific 9550)
Storage device type 3: Figure 1-5 shows that the main storage disks are located in slots 0
to 11 in a storage device.
Figure 1-5 Front disk slot numbers (OceanStor Pacific 9920/OceanStor Pacific 9520)
Storage device type 4: Figure 1-6 and Figure 1-7 show that the front main storage disk
modules are located in slots 0 to 23 and rear main storage disk modules are located in
slots 24 to 35 in a storage device.
Figure 1-6 Front disk slot numbers (OceanStor Pacific 9540)
Figure 1-7 Rear disk slot numbers (OceanStor Pacific 9540)
System Disk Module
Storage device type 1: Figure 1-8 shows that the system disk modules are located in slots
0 and 1 in a storage device.
Figure 1-8 System disk slot numbers (OceanStor Pacific 9950)
Storage device type 2: Figure 1-9 shows that the system disk modules are located in slots
0 and 1 in a storage device.
Figure 1-9 System disk slot numbers (OceanStor Pacific 9550)
Storage device type 3: Figure 1-10 shows that the system disk modules are located in
slots 40 and 41 or slots 42 and 43 in a storage device.
Figure 1-10 Rear system disk slot numbers (OceanStor Pacific 9920/OceanStor Pacific
9520)
Storage device type 4: Figure 1-11 shows that the system disk modules are located in
slots 40 and 41 or slots 42 and 43 in a storage device.
Figure 1-11 Rear system disk slot numbers (OceanStor Pacific 9540)
Cache Disk Module (NVMe SSD)
When a storage device uses SAS SSDs as the cache, the cache disk modules occupy the main
storage disk slots.
Storage device type 1: Figure 1-12 shows that the cache disk modules are located in slots
44 to 47 in a storage device.
Figure 1-12 Rear cache disk slot numbers (OceanStor Pacific 9920/OceanStor Pacific
9520)
Storage device type 2: Figure 1-13 shows that the cache disk modules are located in slots
44 to 47 in a storage device.
Figure 1-13 Rear cache disk slot numbers (OceanStor Pacific 9540)