Data Consistency Application Idle State for Snapshot Copy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Performing a point-in-time snapshot copy in a data replication environment affects data consistency, necessitating a method that preserves data consistency during the snapshot copy operation.

Innovation Solution

The method involves setting a data consistency application to an idle state, marking data, restarting the application, identifying the marked data, creating a consistency group, and performing replication of the consistency group to maintain data consistency during the snapshot copy operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a point-in-time snapshot copy operation is performed in a data replication environment, then data backup and preservation are achieved, but data consistency is affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata consistencyVSAvoidsnapshot copy operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pausing the data consistency application before performing the snapshot copy operation. This pause is a preparatory step that prevents data consistency issues during the copy process. The application is restarted after the snapshot is created, ensuring that data consistency is maintained without compromising the snapshot operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the pause and restart of the data consistency application as an intermediary mechanism. By temporarily suspending the application during the snapshot copy, it acts as a mediator that isolates the snapshot operation from data consistency operations, allowing both to coexist without conflict.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the data consistency application is paused for snapshot copy, then data integrity during copying is maintained, but system productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidsystem downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a preliminary pause of the data consistency application before initiating the snapshot copy operation. This preliminary action ensures that no data changes occur during the copy process, maintaining data integrity. The pause is temporary and immediately followed by restart, minimizing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the skipping principle by making the pause duration as brief as possible - only long enough to capture the snapshot. The system rushes through the pause state quickly, minimizing the time the application remains inactive while still achieving the integrity goal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentUS11853585B2Performing a point-in-time snapshot copy operation within a data consistency application

Publication Date: 2023.12.26 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A computer-implemented method according to one embodiment includes identifying data to be transferred as part of a point-in-time snapshot copy operation; setting a data consistency application in an idle state; marking the data while the data consistency application is in the idle state; restarting the data consistency application; identifying, by the data consistency application, the marked data; creating, by the data consistency application, a consistency group including the marked data; and performing replication of the consistency group.