Cascade Ordering for Storage Backup Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiple target flashcopy implementations do not effectively minimize read access to the production disk during background copy processes, especially in cascaded configurations, leading to increased time and inefficiency with the number of copies required.
Innovation Solution
A method where backup processes are initiated from a single source storage volume to multiple target storage volumes, with each target added to the cascade in inverse proportion to its copy rate, and started in the reverse order of addition, allowing each map to have its own background copy rate without waiting for others to complete.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple backup processes are initiated simultaneously to multiple target storage volumes, then the backup operation can be performed in parallel improving productivity, but the read access to the production disk increases leading to increased time and inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional backup initiation approach by starting backup processes in reverse order of their copy rates. Instead of starting all backups simultaneously or in arbitrary order, the system starts the slowest backup process first, then the next slowest, and so on. This inversion ensures that the production disk is accessed for reading in an optimized sequence that minimizes total read time while still enabling parallel backup operations to multiple targets.
2Reliability
If cascaded flashcopy configurations are used to create multiple copies, then the system can maintain data redundancy across multiple targets, but the complexity of managing multiple cascaded maps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of backup process initiation timing based on copy rate characteristics. By dynamically adjusting when each backup process starts according to its specific copy rate, the system simplifies the management of cascaded configurations. This parameter-based approach allows the system to handle multiple cascaded maps more efficiently by automatically optimizing the startup sequence rather than requiring complex manual management of cascade relationships.
3Ease of manufacture
If each target storage volume is added to the cascade in arbitrary order, then the system implementation is simpler, but the number of read operations on the production disk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the cascade construction by changing the order parameter in which target storage volumes are added to the cascade. Specifically, targets are added in order of their copy rates (slowest first, fastest last), which minimizes the number of read operations required on the production disk. This parameter optimization maintains reasonable implementation complexity while significantly improving backup efficiency by reducing redundant reads from the production disk.
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprises receiving one or more instructions initiating a plurality of backup processes from a single source storage volume to a plurality of target storage volumes, adding each target storage volume to a cascade of target storage volumes from the source storage volume, the target storage volumes added to the cascade in an order inversely proportional to the copy rate of the respective backup process, and starting each backup process in turn, the backup processes started in an order from the most recent target storage volume added to cascade to the first target storage volume added to cascade.