FlashCopy Target Volume Reuse and Dynamic Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data storage systems face challenges in efficiently managing FlashCopy backups, particularly in avoiding collisions between mount, clone, instant restore, and file level restore tasks, due to resource conflicts and the need for dynamic volume allocation to reuse existing resources or allocate new ones from a shared pool.
Innovation Solution
The method involves attempting to reuse existing FlashCopy target volumes that are not currently in use for other tasks and dynamically allocating new volumes from a global pool if necessary, ensuring efficient resource management and collision avoidance during FlashCopy backup operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If existing FlashCopy target volumes are reused for new backup tasks, then storage resource utilization is improved, but collision risks increase when volumes are simultaneously used for mount, clone, or restore tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring the usage state of FlashCopy target volumes through checking functions. Before allocating a volume for backup, the system checks whether the volume is currently being used for mount, clone, or restore tasks. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of volume allocation decisions, allowing safe reuse of volumes when idle while preventing collisions when volumes are actively used.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic volume allocation where the system adaptively decides whether to reuse existing volumes or allocate new ones based on real-time usage conditions. The allocation strategy changes dynamically: if a volume is not currently used for other tasks, it is reused; if it is being used, a new volume is allocated. This dynamic approach optimizes storage utilization while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If new FlashCopy target volumes are dynamically allocated from a shared pool, then task collision avoidance is improved, but processing overhead and allocation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a universal shared pool of FlashCopy target volumes that serves multiple device classes and task types. This global pool can be dynamically allocated to any backup task that needs a target volume, providing a multi-functional resource management mechanism. The same pool infrastructure handles allocations for different device classes, reducing the need for separate volume management systems for each task type.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary volume allocation mechanism that mediates between backup tasks and physical storage resources. The shared pool acts as an intermediary layer that abstracts the complexity of volume management from individual backup tasks. The allocation function serves as an intermediary that automatically checks volume availability, selects appropriate volumes, and manages the allocation process, reducing the burden on backup task management.
3Quantity of substance
If volume reuse is attempted before allocation, then storage efficiency is improved, but processing time increases due to additional checking operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary checking of volume availability before initiating the backup process. By checking whether existing volumes are currently used for other tasks before attempting to reuse them, the system avoids time-consuming allocation operations when reuse is possible. This preliminary action ensures that the fastest path (reuse) is taken when conditions permit, minimizing processing time while maintaining storage efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
For efficient Flashcopy backup and a mount, clone, instant restore, and/or file level restore task collision avoidance using dynamic volume allocation with reuse and from a shared resource pool, performing at least one attempt to reuse an existing FlashCopy target volume in a Flashcopy chain of target volumes that is not currently being used for at least one of the mount task, the clone task, instant restore task, and/or file level restore task at the same time for a FlashCopy backup. If the at least one attempt to reuse the existing FlashCopy target volume fails, dynamically allocate a new Flashcopy target volume for the Flashcopy backup from a global pool of Flashcopy backup target volumes shared by a plurality of device classes.