System and method for resource sharing across multi-cloud arrays

Abstract

A system for resource sharing across multi-cloud storage arrays includes a plurality of storage arrays and a cloud array storage (CAS) application. The plurality of storage resources are distributed in one or more cloud storage arrays, and each storage resource comprises a unique object identifier that identifies location and structure of the corresponding storage resource at a given point-in-time. The cloud array storage (CAS) application manages the resource sharing process by first taking an instantaneous copy of initial data stored in a first location of a first storage resource at a given point-in-time and then distributing copies of the instantaneous copy to other storage resources in the one or more cloud storage arrays. The instantaneous copy comprises a first unique object identifier pointing to the first storage location of the initial data in the first storage resource and when the instantaneous copy is distributed to a second storage resource, the first unique object identifier is copied into a second storage location within the second storage resource and the second storage location of the second storage resource is assigned a second unique object identifier.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 324,819 filed on Apr. 16, 2010 and entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RESOURCE SHARING ACROSS MULTI-CLOUD ARRAYS which is commonly assigned and the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a system and a method for resource sharing across multi-cloud arrays, and more particularly to resource sharing across multi-cloud arrays that provides secure and reliable data replication and “compute anywhere” capability.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Cloud storage refers to providing online data storage services including database-like services, web-based storage services, network attached storage services, and synchronization services. Examples of database storage services include Amazon SimpleDB, Google App Engine and BigTable datastore, among others. Examples of web-based stor...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]In one embodiment, a “shared snapshot” is utilized to provide data replication. In the ‘shared snapshot” data replication model a “snapshot” of the original volume is taken and then copies of the “snapshot” are distributed to the various clouds in the multi-cloud array. This multi-cloud data replication system provides cloud storage having enterprise-level functionality, security, reliability and increased operational performance without latency. The “shared-snapshot” data replication model is also used to provide an accelerated distributed computing environment.

Problems solved by technology

However, the benefits of cloud storage do come with some significant drawbacks.

Even a minor security breach or black out in the data availability can have drastic consequences.

Current Internet-based cloud storage implementations do not usually deploy security measures that are adequate to protect against even minor security breaches.

Availability and reliability has also not been up to the standards of even small-to-medium size enterprises.

Furthermore, cloud storage is not standards-based and businesses usually need to invest in application development in order to be able to use them.

Continuous data replication between data stored in these two different cloud storage systems is currently unavailable.

It requires downloading and installing specialized software, is cumbersome, inefficient for continuous data replication, not reliable or secure and therefore it is currently not used at least for business storage applications.

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