Consistency Group Migration for Uninterrupted Storage Replication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems lack the ability to migrate data seamlessly between different storage systems without interrupting data storage and replication, especially when the systems are provided by different vendors or use different product lines, leading to reliability and performance issues during the migration process.
Innovation Solution
A controller initiates a migration process by defining a consistency group that includes replicated volumes and a dummy control volume, transferring these volumes to a new storage system, and completing the migration by replicating the control volume, ensuring continuous data storage and replication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data migration is performed between different storage systems, then storage system replacement is achieved, but data storage and replication continuity is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a consistency group as an intermediary mechanism that includes both source and destination storage volumes. This consistency group acts as a mediator during migration, allowing data to be copied and verified without interrupting the storage system's normal operation. The consistency group ensures that data integrity is maintained throughout the migration process, resolving the contradiction between system replacement capability and operational continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by creating consistency groups and copying data to destination volumes before actually switching systems. The migration process prepares everything in advance - creating proxy volumes, copying data, verifying consistency - so that when the final switch occurs, it can be done atomically without interruption. This preliminary preparation enables seamless system replacement while maintaining continuous data availability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional data migration methods are used, then system replacement is achieved, but performance and reliability deteriorate due to interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by allowing data storage and replication operations to continue uninterrupted during the migration process. The consistency group mechanism enables background data copying while the storage system continues to serve client requests. This ensures that productive operations never stop, resolving the contradiction between migration capability and performance maintenance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If storage systems from different vendors are integrated, then vendor flexibility is improved, but system compatibility and reliability issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal consistency group mechanism that works across different storage systems and vendors. The consistency group abstraction layer provides a vendor-neutral interface that can manage data migration between heterogeneous systems. This universal approach ensures compatibility and reliability regardless of which vendors' systems are being integrated, resolving the contradiction between vendor flexibility and system compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Example implementations relate to computer data storage. In some examples, a controller establishes a migration link between a first storage device and a second storage device, and create a consistency group including replicating volumes and a control volume stored on the first storage device. The controller initiates, based on the consistency group, a data copy from the replicating volumes to proxy volumes on the second storage device. In response to a completion of the data copy from the replicating volumes to the proxy volumes, the controller initiates a replication of the proxy volumes to a second replication device. Further, in response to a completion of the replication of the proxy volumes, the controller transfers a copy of the control volume to the second storage device, where the transfer of the copy of the control volume completes the migration of the consistency group.