Flexible Data Mirroring for Storage Mobility Failover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage networks face inefficiencies in data mirroring and caching during mobility events, requiring manual analysis and sub-optimal data transfer speeds due to inadequate data exchange capabilities between storage devices.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method for flexible data mirroring, where storage controller computing devices select and prioritize data for mirroring to cache memory based on attributes, copying it in a specific order, and using corrective actions for successful data transfer, enabling efficient data management and mobility event handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If data is mirrored to cache memory during mobility events, then data retrieval speed is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata retrieval speedVSAvoidstorage network complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary data mirroring to cache memory before mobility events occur. Storage controller computing devices proactively identify and mirror critical data portions to partner cache memories, so that when a mobility event occurs, the data is already available for immediate retrieval, eliminating the need for complex real-time data transfer protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces cache memory as an intermediary layer between storage devices and the data access layer. This intermediary buffer simplifies the overall storage network architecture by handling data transfer operations, allowing storage devices to remain relatively simple while providing fast data access through the cached intermediary layer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If manual analysis and direct input are used to prepare storage network for failover, then data accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefailover preparation accuracyVSAvoidfailover preparation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage controller computing devices automatically perform failover preparation without requiring manual analysis or direct human input. The system self-manages the identification of critical data, the mirroring process, and the coordination with partner storage devices, eliminating manual labor while maintaining reliability through automated decision-making algorithms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements automated feedback loops where storage controllers continuously monitor data attributes, access patterns, and system state to dynamically adjust mirroring decisions. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically prepare for failover events with high accuracy by learning from ongoing system operations without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Quantity of substance

If all data is mirrored during mobility events, then data completeness is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata completenessVSAvoidmirroring time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by mirroring only the necessary portion of data rather than all data. Storage controller computing devices analyze data attributes and access patterns to identify and mirror only the critical portions of data needed for mobility events, achieving sufficient data completeness for failover while significantly reducing the time and resources required compared to mirroring entire datasets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Device complexity

If storage devices exchange data directly, then device complexity is reduced, but speed of data transfer decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage device simplicityVSAvoiddata transfer speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9990151B2Methods for flexible data-mirroring to improve storage performance during mobility events and devices thereof

Publication Date: 2018.06.05 NETAPP INC

AI summary

A method, device, and non-transitory computer readable medium for mirroring data, comprising, selecting, based on a plurality of data attributes, a portion of local data in a local storage device for mirroring to a remote storage device and copying the selected portion of the local data to at least one cache memory of the remote storage device. Next a determination of when a failover event has occurred in the local storage device is made, wherein the failover event comprises an event in which the local data in the local storage device is inaccessible to a client computing device when the client computing device attempts to access the local data from the local storage device. A copy of the local data from the cache memory in the remote storage device is retrieved when the failover event is determined to have occurred.