Cloud Gateway Logical Volume Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage systems face inefficiencies in managing inactive data, as manual processes for archiving and retrieving data from magnetic tapes are slow, and automatic archiving to cloud storage still requires storage array resources, limiting resource availability.
Innovation Solution
A system that migrates logical volumes and associated data between storage arrays and cloud gateways based on access frequency, using multi-path input-output drivers and tiering programs to transparently manage data movement, maintaining unique device IDs and updating paths, thereby optimizing resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If data is archived to magnetic tape, then storage cost is reduced, but data archival and retrieval processes become slow and manual
Solution Approach 1:
A cloud gateway is introduced as an intermediary component between the storage array and cloud storage. The gateway translates protocols and manages data migration automatically, eliminating manual tape operations while maintaining cost efficiency through cloud storage
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of tape archiving is replaced with an automated software-based system. The tiering program and cloud gateway automate data identification, migration, and retrieval processes, eliminating manual intervention while improving speed
2Quantity of substance
If inactive data is moved to cloud storage, then storage array resources are freed, but storage array resources are still required to maintain the logical volume
Solution Approach 1:
The logical volume management is extracted from the storage array and relocated to the cloud gateway. This allows the storage array to completely release resources associated with migrated volumes while the gateway maintains the logical volume abstraction, achieving full resource liberation without complexity
3Extent of automation
If automatic tiering is implemented, then data migration is automated, but storage array resources are consumed to maintain migrated volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud gateway serves as an intermediary that assumes responsibility for maintaining logical volumes after migration. The tiering program on the storage array handles automation, while the gateway manages volume persistence, separating automation functions from resource maintenance
4Quantity of substance
If data is migrated between storage systems, then storage efficiency is improved, but host application transparency must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The logical volume is copied to the cloud gateway during migration while maintaining the same device ID. The gateway creates a replica that is functionally identical to the original, allowing seamless substitution without host application awareness. This copying approach preserves transparency while enabling efficient data migration
Data Source
AI summary
A data storage system migrates a device between a storage array and a cloud gateway based on monitored conditions such as access frequency. More particularly, both a logical volume and the associated data are migrated. The unique device ID (e.g. and without limitation the WWN or WWID) is maintained after migration so the migration is transparent to the host application. The device is deleted from the migration source after being moved to the migration target, thereby releasing resources such as memory, storage, processor cycles and bandwidth at the migration source. A multi-path IO driver in the host computer coordinates with a tiering program in the storage array and a monitoring program in the cloud gateway to manage migration of the logical volume.