Cloud Data Migration Using Local Storage Thresholds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional storage systems face challenges in managing storage space efficiently, leading to write inhibition when local storage is exhausted, and existing cloud storage solutions lack advanced data management features.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that automatically migrates cold data to cloud storage when local space reaches a threshold, utilizing a relocation module to create virtual RAID arrays on cloud storage, enabling advanced data management features like thresholding and destaging, and providing flexible service levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If data is stored locally in storage systems, then data access speed and system performance are improved, but local storage space is exhausted leading to write inhibition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access speedVSAvoidlocal storage space

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The storage system is segmented into local storage and cloud storage components. The local storage retains hot data for fast access, while cloud storage accommodates cold data archives. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high performance for active data while utilizing abundant cloud storage capacity for archival data, preventing write inhibition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Cold data is extracted from local storage and migrated to cloud storage. The storage control unit identifies data not accessed within a threshold period and transfers it to cloud-based archives. This extraction frees up local storage space, preventing write inhibition while maintaining system performance for active data operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Quantity of substance

If cloud storage is used for data archiving, then storage capacity is expanded, but advanced data management features are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoiddata management features

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The storage control unit acts as an intermediary between local storage and cloud storage. It implements thresholding policies to automatically migrate cold data to cloud archives and can restore data back to local storage when needed. This intermediary control layer enables advanced data management features like automated tiering, retention policies, and data restoration while utilizing cloud storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If manual data migration to cloud storage is implemented, then storage space management is achieved, but system complexity and operational overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage space managementVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage system implements self-service automation through the storage control unit, which automatically monitors data access patterns, identifies cold data, and migrates it to cloud storage archives without manual intervention. The system self-manages the migration process based on predefined thresholds, eliminating operational overhead while maintaining effective storage space management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250392639A1Data migration to cloud based on local space

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Migrating data to cloud storage includes identifying, by a storage control unit, data to be migrated to cloud storage. The storage control unit determines unit, that local storage space has reached a threshold. The storage control unit, in response to determining that the local storage space has reached the threshold, migrates data from local storage to cloud storage.