I/O Coordination Module Aligned XCOPY Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data storage systems face inefficiencies in XCOPY operations due to misalignment of source and destination mappings, leading to broken copy processes and sequential reissuance of smaller chunks, which cause inefficiencies and failures in data transfer.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented where a mapping driver processes and aligns physical storage extent divisions in both source and destination inter-driver calls, allowing integrated copy operations to be made directly to the physical storage driver, utilizing a container filesystem to request and map logical descriptors to physical storage extents, and then directing the physical storage driver to perform the copy operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate source and destination inter-driver calls are used for XCOPY operations, then the driver stack can independently process each command, but the mappings between source and destination become unaligned and the physical storage driver becomes unaware of the relationship between the two commands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate source and destination inter-driver calls into a single integrated XCOPY command that carries both source and destination parameters together. This merging allows the mapping driver to process both mappings simultaneously, ensuring they remain aligned while still allowing independent processing of the command components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping driver acts as an intermediary component in the driver stack that receives the integrated XCOPY command and is responsible for processing both source and destination mappings. This intermediary ensures proper alignment and coordination between the two mappings, preventing the misalignment issue that occurs when commands are processed separately.
2Extent of automation
If the physical storage driver independently negotiates XCOPY operations, then it can process commands autonomously, but it does not know about mapping misalignment and must break up the XCOPY into smaller chunks
Solution Approach 1:
The mapping driver performs preliminary processing of both source and destination mappings before the command reaches the physical storage driver. By pre-aligning the mappings and preparing the integrated command structure, the physical storage driver can process the entire XCOPY operation in one autonomous action without needing to break it into smaller chunks.
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping driver serves as an intermediary that prepares the integrated command with properly aligned mappings before passing it to the physical storage driver. This allows the physical storage driver to maintain autonomy while receiving pre-processed information that enables efficient single-chunk processing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the driver stack introduces address mapping between logical and physical devices, then it can provide abstraction and flexibility, but the mappings between source and destination become unaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the processing of source and destination address mappings into a single operation within the mapping driver. By handling both mappings together rather than separately, the system maintains the flexibility of logical-to-physical address translation while ensuring that source and destination mappings remain precisely aligned throughout the translation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping driver applies different mapping transformations locally to the source and destination parameters while maintaining their relationship. This allows the driver stack to provide flexible address mapping for each parameter individually while ensuring the mappings remain aligned through coordinated processing within the same driver component.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for performance by an I/O Coordination module of a computing device operating as a data storage system in order to obtain and process physical extent mappings in the context of an XCOPY Lite or XCOPY type operation. The method involves breaking down the source region into physical source extents with reference to a container filesystem representing the logical volume of the source as a file. The I/O Coordination module is then able to separately process each of these physical source extents and also obtain its corresponding physical destination extents with reference to the container filesystem, which also represents the logical volume of the destination as a file. The I/O Coordination module is then able to cause integrated copy commands to be issued to an underlying physical storage driver. An apparatus, system, and computer program product for performing a similar method are also provided.