Transparent Intercept Engine for Non-Disruptive Storage Services

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data storage systems cannot add additional services without interrupting input/output operations, leading to downtime and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A transparent intercept engine is introduced, intercepting commands between the file system and storage device using an intercept filter and manager, allowing for the interception and management of commands without disrupting I/O operations, enabling services like data migration and backup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional data management services are added to existing storage systems, then functionality for data copying, backup, and migration is improved, but I/O operations are interrupted and downtime increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata management services functionalityVSAvoiddowntime

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intercept engine as an intermediary component that sits between the file system and storage device. This intercept engine captures I/O commands before they reach the storage device, allowing data management services to be implemented without physically modifying the storage system or interrupting ongoing operations. The intermediary enables service addition while maintaining continuous I/O operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The intercept engine performs preliminary actions by intercepting and queuing I/O commands before they are executed. This allows the system to prepare for data management operations (such as copying or backup) without blocking the actual storage operations. The preliminary interception and queuing of commands enables service functionality to be added while maintaining continuous data access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional data management services are added to existing storage systems, then functionality for data copying, backup, and migration is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata management services functionalityVSAvoidstorage system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data management functionality into a separate intercept engine module that operates independently from the storage device and file system. This segmentation allows data management services (copying, backup, migration) to be implemented as distinct functional units within the intercept engine, avoiding the need to complexify the core storage system while still providing versatile data management capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The intercept engine is designed as a universal component that can perform multiple data management functions through a single interface. By implementing multi-functionality within the intercept engine, the patent avoids adding separate complex subsystems for each data management task. The universal design allows the same intercept engine to handle copying, backup, and migration operations without proportionally increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional data management services are added to existing storage systems, then functionality for data copying, backup, and migration is improved, but installation requires interruption of I/O operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata management services functionalityVSAvoidservice installation continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The intercept engine serves as an intermediary that can be installed between the file system and storage device without interrupting I/O operations. By capturing commands at this intermediary point, the system can add data management services while maintaining continuous operation. The intermediary architecture allows for non-disruptive installation and operation of additional services.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The intercept engine performs preliminary interception of I/O commands and queues them for processing. This preliminary action allows the system to install and activate data management services without blocking ongoing I/O operations. The queuing mechanism ensures that commands are processed continuously while new services are being installed, maintaining operational continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11789657B2Devices, systems, and methods for transparently intercepting data stored on a storage device and providing services related to the data

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 CIRRUS DATA SOLUTIONS

AI summary

An intercept engine is installed on a computer and includes an intercept filter adapted to intercept selected commands transmitted between a file system and a storage device. The intercept engine also includes an intercept manager adapted to transmit to the intercept filter one or more primitives, wherein each primitive includes device information specifying a device, wherein a command directed to the specified device is to be intercepted, command type information specifying a type of command to be intercepted, and follow-up action information specifying an action to be performed after the command has been intercepted. A primitive may also include default action information specifying an action to be performed with respect to the command if a communication between the intercept filter and the intercept manager is interrupted. The intercept engine intercepts commands transmitted between the file system and the storage device in accordance with the one or more primitives.