Device Adaptor Assignment for Storage Copy Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In storage environments, storage controllers face limitations in simultaneously performing background copy tasks due to insufficient resources, particularly with a maximum of four active background copy tasks per device adapter, leading to inefficiencies in allocating agents to copy source extents to target extents.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for assigning device adaptors and background tasks to copy source extents to target extents, where a target rank determines the order for selecting target ranks to register for copying, and a device adaptor assignment data structure is used to indicate source and target device adaptors for copying, balancing resource allocation and prioritizing tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple background copy tasks are registered simultaneously for multiple copy relations, then the system can handle more copy operations, but the storage controller does not have sufficient available resources to perform all copy tasks simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the background copy tasks by introducing rank queues that divide tasks into different priority levels (rank 0 being highest priority). This segmentation allows the system to manage multiple copy relations by prioritizing them into manageable groups, enabling the storage controller to process tasks in a structured manner despite limited device adapter resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation through the BCCT scheduler, which dynamically assigns background copy tasks to available device adapters based on current system state. The scheduler continuously monitors resource availability and adjusts task assignment in real-time, allowing the system to maximize utilization of limited device adapters while handling multiple concurrent copy relations.
2Productivity
If the BCCT scheduler searches through device adapter and rank structures to find suitable candidates, then resource allocation can be optimized, but the scheduling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-organizing background copy tasks into rank queues before scheduling. The BCCT scheduler receives tasks that are already categorized by priority rank, which simplifies the scheduling process. This preliminary organization reduces the complexity of the scheduling mechanism while maintaining efficient resource allocation, as the scheduler only needs to select from pre-sorted queues rather than evaluating all tasks from scratch.
3Productivity
If background copy tasks are deferred until write operations are requested, then system performance is maintained, but the actual data transfer time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by scheduling background copy tasks to execute at intervals rather than continuously. The BCCT scheduler periodically activates background copy tasks based on system conditions and priority queues, allowing normal write operations to proceed while periodically performing data transfers. This periodic execution maintains system performance while progressively completing data transfers over time.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for assigning device adaptors to use to copy source extents in source ranks to target extents in target ranks in a copy relation. A determination is made of an order of the target ranks in the copy relation. Target ranks in the copy relation are selected according to the determined order. For each selected target rank, indication is made in a device adaptor assignment data structure of a source device adaptor and target device adaptor of the device adaptors to use to copy the source rank to the selected target rank indicated in the copy relation, wherein indication is made for the selected target ranks according to the determined order. The source ranks are copied to the selected target ranks using the source and target device adaptors indicated in the device adaptor assignment data structure.