Storage system and first storage system

Abstract

To create a virtual synchronous state between storage devices with different capacities.SOLUTION: A storage system 100 of a first embodiment includes: a first storage system 110 having a first storage device 112; a second storage system 120 having a second storage device 122; a size reduction unit 131 configured to generate reduced electronic files based on electronic files stored in at least one of the first storage device 112 and the second storage device 122 and store the reduced electronic files in the first storage device 112; and a reduction determination unit 132 configured to generate instruction information for causing the size reduction unit 131 to generate reduced electronic files for electronic files selected based on predetermined selection criteria from among the electronic files stored in at least one of the first storage device 112 and the second storage device 122.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage system and a first storage system that can create a virtual synchronized state between storage devices with different capacities. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are storage systems that include storage devices with slow read speeds, such as cloud storage devices and tape storage devices. In such storage systems, a so-called cache system is sometimes employed, which stores some of the multiple electronic files stored in the slow storage devices in storage devices with relatively high speeds.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technology in which, when multiple electronic files stored in cloud storage are cached in multiple local storages with fast read speeds, the same rules are applied to all local storages to delete unnecessary electronic files from the local storages. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-32271 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with conventional technology, some electronic files in local storage are deleted according to rules, so that on the local storage there are undeleted electronic files that can be used as cache and deleted electronic files that cannot be used as cache, making it impossible to flexibly control the cache.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a storage system and a first storage system that can create a virtual synchronized state between storage devices with different capacities. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One storage system of the present invention comprises a first storage system having a first processor and a first storage device, a second storage system capable of sending and receiving electronic files to and from the first storage system and having a second processor and a second storage device, a size reduction unit that generates reduced electronic files by reducing the size of electronic files based on electronic files stored in at least one of the first storage device and the second storage device and stores the reduced electronic files in the first storage device, and a reduction determination unit that selects electronic files from the electronic files stored in at least one of the first storage device and the second storage device based on specified selection conditions and generates instruction information for the selected electronic files that causes the size reduction unit to generate reduced electronic files.

[0008] A first storage system according to one aspect of the present invention is a first storage system having a first processor and a first storage device, wherein the first storage system is capable of sending and receiving electronic files to and from a second storage system having a second processor and a second storage device, and is equipped with a size reduction unit that generates reduced electronic files by reducing the size of electronic files based on electronic files stored in at least one of the first storage device and the second storage device and stores the reduced electronic files in the first storage device, and a reduction determination unit that selects electronic files from the electronic files stored in at least one of the first storage device and the second storage device based on predetermined selection conditions and generates instruction information for the selected electronic files that causes the size reduction unit to generate reduced electronic files. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] A virtual synchronized state can be created between storage devices with different capacities. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the device configuration of a storage system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of a storage system. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a virtual synchronization state between a first storage device and a second storage device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a storage system according to another example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of a storage system and a first storage system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are presented as examples to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. For example, the shapes, structures, materials, components, relative positional relationships, connection states, numerical values, mathematical formulas, the content of each step in a method, and the order of each step shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and may include content not described below. Furthermore, while geometric expressions such as parallel and orthogonal may be used, these expressions do not indicate mathematical precision and include substantially acceptable errors, deviations, and the like. Furthermore, expressions such as simultaneous and identical also include substantially acceptable ranges.

[0012] The drawings are schematic diagrams in which emphasis, omission, or adjustment of proportions is appropriately made for the purpose of explaining the present invention, and differ from the actual shapes, positional relationships, and proportions. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis shown in the drawings represent Cartesian coordinates arbitrarily set for the purpose of explaining the drawings. In other words, the Z-axis is not necessarily an axis along the vertical direction, and the X-axis and Y-axis are not necessarily located within a horizontal plane.

[0013] In addition, in the following, multiple inventions may be collectively described as one embodiment, and some of the contents described below may be described as optional components related to the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the device configuration of a storage system 100. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the storage system 100. The storage system 100 is a system that can output electronic files in response to requests from a terminal device 200 or the like and store electronic files transmitted from the terminal device 200 or the like, and is equipped with a first storage system 110 and a second storage system 120. The first storage system 110, the second storage system 120, and the terminal device 200 may be connected via a single type of network, or may be connected via multiple types of networks, such as a first network 210 and a second network 220 (cloud) that are connected via an address translation device 230. The device configuration and functional configuration of the storage system 100 will be explained below in order, but the order of explanation does not necessarily match the order of processing.

[0015] The type of the first network 210 is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) that performs communication based on private IP addresses (local IP addresses). Specifically, the first network 210 is a network that complies with IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.3. The first storage system 110 and the terminal device 200 are connected to this first network 210. However, the devices connected to the first network 210 are not limited to these.

[0016] The type of second network 220 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network), commonly known as the Internet, provided by a telecommunications carrier that allows communication based on a global IP address.

[0017] The address translation device 230 is a device that has a NAT (Network Address Translation) function that converts an IP address into another IP address. In this embodiment, the address translation device 230 is a so-called router.

[0018] The first storage system 110 is a device that stores and manages electronic files that include actual data indicating text, images, etc., and metadata indicating file sizes, file names, etc., and is equipped with a first processor 111 and a first storage device 112. The first storage system 110 can mutually send and receive electronic files to and from the second storage system 120, terminal device 200, etc. via a network using a first control unit 113 that is implemented by having the first processor 111 execute a program. The specific first storage system 110 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, a NAS (Network Attached Storage) is exemplified as the first storage system 110. The first storage system 110 may also be, for example, a desktop computer or a laptop computer.

[0019] The second storage system 120 is a device that stores and manages electronic files and includes a second processor 121 and a second storage device 122. The second storage system 120 can mutually send and receive electronic files via a network with the first storage system 110, the terminal device 200, and the like, using a second control unit 123 implemented by causing the second processor 121 to execute a program. The storage capacity of the second storage device 122 is larger than (greater than) the storage capacity of the first storage device 112. The storage capacity of the second storage device 122 may be the storage capacity determined by a contract or the like with the first storage system 110, or may be the overall storage capacity of the second storage devices 122 included in the second storage system 120. The specific second storage system 120 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, a server is exemplified as the second storage system 120. The second storage system 120 functions as a so-called cloud from the perspective of the first storage system 110 and the terminal device 200.

[0020] The storage system 100 comprises a size reduction unit 131 and a reduction determination unit 132 as processing units that are realized by having at least one of the first processor 111 and the second processor 121 execute a management program. In the case of this embodiment, the size reduction unit 131 and the reduction determination unit 132 are realized in the second storage system 120 by having the second processor 121 of the second storage system 120 execute the management program.

[0021] The size reduction unit 131 generates a reduced electronic file by reducing the size of the electronic file based on the electronic file stored in at least one of the first storage device 112 and the second storage device 122, using the instruction information generated by the reduction determination unit 132. The reduced electronic file generated by the size reduction unit 131 is stored in the first storage device 112. When the reduced electronic file is stored in the first storage device 112, if an electronic file corresponding to the reduced electronic file is stored in the first storage device 112, that electronic file is deleted and the reduced electronic file is overwritten on the electronic file. In this embodiment, the size reduction unit 131 makes the electronic file so-called sparse, and generates a reduced electronic file with almost no actual data.

[0022] The reduced electronic file may have relationship information that can indicate a one-to-one relationship with the electronic file that created the reduced electronic file. For example, the relationship information may include a file system path, whether or not reduction has been performed, etc. The relationship information may also include some or all of the metadata included in the electronic file that created the reduced electronic file. The relationship information may also include some or all of the metadata included in the electronic file that created the reduced electronic file. In this embodiment, the file name and extension of the reduced electronic file are the same as those of the electronic file that created the reduced electronic file.

[0023] Metadata may include some or all of the following: file attributes (such as file type, size, creation date, last update date, and access permissions); content metadata (such as file title, creator, keywords, and category); and structural metadata (information about the file structure). Specifically, file attributes include file type, file size, creation date, last update date, and access permissions. Content metadata includes file title, creator, keywords, category, description, and tags. Structural metadata includes file components and file relationships (such as parent-child and sibling relationships). Relationship information may also include actual data that is not metadata. For example, if the original digital file is a video file, the relationship information may include a thumbnail image of one of the frames.

[0024] The reduction determination unit 132 selects electronic files from among the electronic files stored in at least one of the first storage device 112 and the second storage device 122 based on predetermined selection conditions, and generates instruction information for causing the size reduction unit 131 to generate reduced electronic files for the selected electronic files. The selection conditions are not limited, and examples of selection conditions include: reducing electronic files that are equal to or larger than a size threshold; reducing electronic files that exist in a predetermined folder; reducing electronic files that are a predetermined age; and reducing electronic files that are accessed less frequently than a threshold. The selection conditions may also be set by an operator via the terminal device 200 or the like.

[0025] The determination method of the reduction determination unit 132 is not limited. In this embodiment, if the first storage device 112 does not store an electronic file that satisfies the relationship with the electronic file stored in the second storage device 122, the reduction determination unit 132 generates instruction information to cause the size reduction unit 131 to generate a reduced electronic file for the electronic file stored in the second storage device 122 (virtual synchronization). An electronic file that satisfies the relationship with the electronic file stored in the second storage device 122 is an electronic file that is identical to the electronic file stored in the second storage device 122, or a reduced electronic file that corresponds to the electronic file stored in the second storage device 122. The timing at which virtual synchronization is performed is not limited. For example, virtual synchronization may be performed at predetermined time intervals or based on an instruction from the terminal device 200. Another example of the timing at which virtual synchronization is performed is the timing at which a new electronic file is added to the second storage device 122.

[0026] Furthermore, when the first storage device 112 becomes able to newly send and receive electronic files to and from the second storage system 120, for example, when a new first storage system 110 is introduced, the reduction determination unit 132 may generate instruction information to cause the size reduction unit 131 to generate reduced electronic files for all electronic files stored in the second storage device 122. In this case, the size reduction unit 131 transmits all generated reduced electronic files to the first storage system 110, and stores them in the first storage device 112. This reduces the amount of communication traffic because only small-sized reduced electronic files are transmitted to the first storage system 110, making it possible to complete virtual synchronization in a short time at the initial stage.

[0027] Furthermore, the reduction determination unit 132 acquires the access frequencies of electronic files (including reduced electronic files) stored in at least one of the first storage device 112 and the second storage device 122, and generates instruction information for causing the size reduction unit 131 to generate reduced electronic files for electronic files whose access frequencies are less than an access threshold. The timing for acquiring the access frequencies is not limited, and may be, for example, when the storage capacity of the first storage device 112 exceeds a storage threshold, or may be acquired at predetermined time intervals. Furthermore, the access frequencies may be acquired when virtual synchronization is performed.

[0028] According to the first storage system 110 described above, as shown in Fig. 3, electronic files A, B', C to E, F', G, H', and I, which have a one-to-one relationship with electronic files A to I stored in the second storage device 122, are stored in the first storage device 112 through virtual synchronization. The rectangular dashed lines in Fig. 3 indicate reduced electronic files. Reduced electronic file B' corresponds to electronic file B, reduced electronic file F' corresponds to electronic file F, and reduced electronic file H' corresponds to electronic file H. In the case of this embodiment, electronic files having a one-to-one relationship include identical files and electronic files with the same file name and extension but different file sizes.

[0029] When an operator views a list of electronic files in the first storage device 112 from the terminal device 200 using a file manager or the like, the operator is provided with a list in which it is not possible to distinguish between normal electronic files and reduced electronic files. Furthermore, the operator can view the list of electronic files in the same state as the file system in the second storage device 122. When an operator accesses a reduced electronic file from the terminal device 200, the first storage system 110 obtains the corresponding electronic file from the second storage device 122 of the second storage system 120 and stores it in the first storage device 112. In this case, the corresponding reduced electronic file is deleted. Furthermore, when the capacity of an electronic file stored in the first storage device 112 exceeds a storage threshold, the reduction determination unit 132 may generate instruction information to cause the size reduction unit 131 to generate a reduced electronic file for the electronic file with the largest size stored in the first storage device 112.

[0030] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the present invention may be embodied in another embodiment by arbitrarily combining the components described in this specification or by excluding some of the components. Furthermore, the present invention also includes various modifications that would occur to a person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention, i.e., the meaning of the wording of the claims.

[0031] 4, the first storage system 110 may include a size reduction unit 131, and the first storage system 110 may include a reduction determination unit 132. The size reduction unit 131 may also be provided in the first storage system 110 and the second storage system 120.

[0032] (summary) The storage system 100 of the first embodiment comprises a first memory system 110 having a first processor 111 and a first memory device 112; a second memory system 120 having a second processor 121 and a second memory device 122 and capable of sending and receiving electronic files to and from the first memory system 110; a size reduction unit 131 that generates reduced electronic files by reducing the size of electronic files based on electronic files stored in at least one of the first memory device 112 and the second memory device 122 and stores the reduced electronic files in the first memory device 112; and a reduction determination unit 132 that selects electronic files from the electronic files stored in at least one of the first memory device 112 and the second memory device 122 based on specified selection conditions and generates instruction information for causing the size reduction unit 131 to generate reduced electronic files for the selected electronic files.

[0033] According to the first aspect, even if the number of electronic files stored in the second storage device 122 exceeds the storage capacity of the first storage device 112, a virtual synchronized state can be created in which the user can view the list of electronic files in the same state between the first storage device 112 and the second storage device 122.

[0034] The second aspect of the storage system 100 includes the first aspect, and if no electronic file that satisfies the relationship with the electronic file stored in the second storage device 122 is stored in the first storage device 112, the reduction determination unit 132 generates instruction information to cause the size reduction unit 131 to generate a reduced electronic file for the electronic file stored in the second storage device 122.

[0035] According to the second aspect, even when an electronic file is directly stored in the second storage device 122 from the terminal device 200, the first storage device 112 and the second storage device 122 can be maintained in a virtually synchronized state.

[0036] The third aspect of the storage system 100 includes the first aspect or the second aspect, and when the first storage device 112 becomes able to send and receive new electronic files to and from the second storage system 120, the reduction determination unit 132 generates instruction information to cause the size reduction unit 131 to generate reduced electronic files for all electronic files stored in the second storage device 122.

[0037] According to the third aspect, when a first storage system 110 is newly introduced, a virtual synchronized state between the first storage device 112 and the second storage device 122 can be created at high speed.

[0038] The fourth aspect of the storage system 100 includes the first aspect or the second aspect, and if no electronic file that satisfies the relationship with the electronic file stored in the second storage device 122 is stored in the first storage device 112, the reduction determination unit 132 generates instruction information that prevents the size reduction unit 131 from generating a reduced electronic file for the electronic file stored in the second storage device 122.

[0039] The storage system 100 may store the reduced electronic file in the first storage device 112 in the form of an electronic file without generating the reduced electronic file.

[0040] A fifth aspect of the storage system 100 includes any one of the first to fourth aspects, and the reduction determination unit 132 obtains the access frequency of electronic files stored in at least one of the first storage device 112 and the second storage device 122, and generates instruction information that causes the size reduction unit 131 to generate reduced electronic files for electronic files whose access frequency is less than an access threshold.

[0041] According to the fifth aspect, electronic files that are accessed frequently are not reduced electronic files but are stored in the first storage device 112, so that the electronic files can be used from the terminal device 200 at high speed.

[0042] The first memory system 110 of the sixth aspect is a first memory system 110 having a first processor 111 and a first storage device 112, and is capable of sending and receiving electronic files to and from a second memory system 120 having a second processor 121 and a second storage device 122.The first memory system 110 is equipped with a size reduction unit 131 that generates reduced electronic files by reducing the size of electronic files based on electronic files stored in at least one of the first storage device 112 and the second storage device 122 and stores the reduced electronic files in the first storage device 112, and a reduction determination unit 132 that selects electronic files from the electronic files stored in at least one of the first storage device 112 and the second storage device 122 based on specified selection conditions and generates instruction information for causing the size reduction unit 131 to generate reduced electronic files for the selected electronic files.

[0043] According to the sixth aspect, even if the second storage device 122 stores electronic files that exceed the storage capacity of the first storage device 112, a virtual synchronized state can be created between the first storage device 112 and the second storage device 122. [Industrial Applicability]

[0044] The present invention can be used in a storage system that includes a plurality of storage devices with different storage capacities. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 100 Storage Systems 110 First Memory System 111 First Processor 112 First storage device 113 First Control Section 120 Second Memory System 121 Second Processor 122 Second storage device 123 Second Control Section 131 Size reduction section 132 Reduction judgment part 200 Terminal Device 210 First Network 220 Second Network 230 Address translation device

Claims

1. a first storage system having a first processor and a first storage device; a second storage system capable of transmitting and receiving electronic files to and from the first storage system, the second storage system having a second processor and a second storage device; a size reduction unit that generates a reduced electronic file by reducing the size of the electronic file based on the electronic file stored in at least one of the first storage device and the second storage device, and stores the reduced electronic file in the first storage device; a reduction determination unit that selects an electronic file based on a predetermined selection condition from among electronic files stored in at least one of the first storage device and the second storage device, and generates instruction information for causing the size reduction unit to generate a reduced electronic file for the selected electronic file; A storage system comprising:

2. The reduction determination unit If the first storage device does not store an electronic file that satisfies the relationship with the electronic file stored in the second storage device, generate instruction information to cause the size reduction unit to generate a reduced electronic file for the electronic file stored in the second storage device. The storage system according to claim 1 .

3. The reduction determination unit When the first storage device becomes able to newly transmit and receive electronic files to and from the second storage system, instruction information is generated to cause the size reduction unit to generate reduced electronic files for all electronic files stored in the second storage device. The storage system according to claim 1 .

4. The reduction determination unit If the first storage device does not store an electronic file that satisfies the relationship with the electronic file stored in the second storage device, generate instruction information that does not cause the size reduction unit to generate a reduced electronic file for the electronic file stored in the second storage device. The storage system according to claim 1 .

5. The reduction determination unit Obtaining access frequencies of electronic files stored in at least one of the first storage device and the second storage device, and generating instruction information for causing the size reduction unit to generate reduced electronic files for electronic files whose access frequencies are less than an access threshold. The storage system according to claim 1 .

6. a first storage system having a first processor and a first storage device, The first storage system electronic files can be transmitted and received between the second processor and a second storage system having a second storage device; a size reduction unit that generates a reduced electronic file by reducing the size of the electronic file based on the electronic file stored in at least one of the first storage device and the second storage device, and stores the reduced electronic file in the first storage device; a reduction determination unit that selects an electronic file based on a predetermined selection condition from among electronic files stored in at least one of the first storage device and the second storage device, and generates instruction information for causing the size reduction unit to generate a reduced electronic file for the selected electronic file. First memory system.

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