Compressed Data Replication Across Mismatched Storage Systems

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data replication systems struggle with versatility and communication efficiency when dealing with differences in compression schemes and performance between storage systems.

Innovation Solution

A data replication system where the first storage system compresses data using a primary compression scheme and determines a compatible compression scheme with the second storage system for transfer, allowing for flexible adaptation to different compression algorithms and reducing processing loads by minimizing decompression and recompression during replication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If data replication is performed between storage systems with different compression schemes, then versatility is improved, but communication amount increases due to decompression and recompression operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility between different compression schemesVSAvoidcommunication amount

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the compression parameter by selecting a common compression scheme that both storage systems can support. The system identifies compression schemes executable by both the first and second storage systems and determines a common compression scheme from these, thereby enabling direct compressed data transfer without decompression and recompression operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If data replication is performed between storage systems with different performance levels, then versatility is improved, but processing load increases due to compression operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility between different performance levelsVSAvoidprocessing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the compression parameter by selecting a common compression scheme that both storage systems can support. The system identifies compression schemes executable by both the first and second storage systems and determines a common compression scheme from these, thereby enabling direct compressed data transfer without decompression and recompression operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If compression scheme conversion is performed during replication, then compatibility between different storage systems is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility between compression schemesVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the compression parameter by selecting a common compression scheme that both storage systems can support. The system identifies compression schemes executable by both the first and second storage systems and determines a common compression scheme from these, thereby enabling direct compressed data transfer without decompression and recompression operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11561721B1Data replication system and data replication method

Publication Date: 2023.01.24 HITACHI VANTARA LTD

AI summary

A first storage system compresses data relating to read and write by a primary site and stores the data in a first physical volume. A second storage system compresses data relating to read and write by a secondary site and stores the data in a second physical volume. When performing replication for transferring the data stored in the first physical volume of the first storage system to the second storage system and storing the data in the second physical volume, the first storage system and the second storage system determine, based on a compression scheme executable by the first storage system and a compression scheme executable by the second storage system, a compression scheme to be applied to transfer target data and transfer the transfer target data compressed by the determined compression scheme.