Asynchronous Remote Data Mirroring Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods lack an effective way to verify the accuracy of asynchronously mirrored data between primary and secondary storage systems when both systems are not accessible simultaneously, due to continuous changes occurring at different times.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for mirror volume comparison that involves making a flash copy of data at the primary site, temporarily halting updates, remotely mirroring this copy to a secondary site, creating a second flash copy at the secondary site, and then performing an on-demand static comparison between the two copies to verify the accuracy of the mirroring process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If asynchronous remote mirroring is performed between primary and secondary storage systems, then data redundancy and availability are improved, but verification of data accuracy becomes difficult when both systems are not accessible simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating a flash copy of the primary data before the mirroring operation. This snapshot is then remotely copied to the secondary site and stored. Later, this pre-captured copy can be compared with the secondary data to verify accuracy, enabling verification even when the primary system is not accessible at verification time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - the flash copy snapshot - that acts as a mediator between the primary and secondary systems. This intermediary copy can be remotely transferred and stored, then used as a reference for verification without requiring simultaneous access to both primary and secondary systems.
2Measurement precision
If direct comparison of primary and secondary disks is performed, then verification accuracy is improved, but accessibility requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the verification function from the requirement of simultaneous system accessibility. By creating a flash copy snapshot at the primary site and remotely copying it to the secondary site, the verification process can be performed using only the secondary system's resources, eliminating the need for simultaneous access to both systems while maintaining verification accuracy.
3Stability of the object's composition
If continuous monitoring of data changes is implemented, then data consistency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by using flash copy snapshots taken at specific points in time rather than continuous monitoring. The flash copy captures the data state at a particular moment, and this snapshot is then remotely copied and verified. This periodic sampling approach ensures data consistency verification without requiring continuous monitoring infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for a mirror volume comparison is provided. The computer-implemented method includes executing asynchronous remote mirroring between a primary site and a secondary site, making a first flash copy of first data at the primary site, executing asynchronous remote copying of the first flash copy to a replica at the secondary site, making a second flash copy of second data at the secondary site and performing an on-demand compare of the replica with the second flash copy to verify an accuracy of the asynchronous remote mirroring.