Link Status Change Control in Storage Copy Services
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Solution Overview
Problem
The synchronization of link connection status across multiple independent control components in storage servers is complex and time-consuming due to the high rate of link status changes, which exceeds the ability of the copy services module to validate and update the status efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for controlling link status changes using a logic unit with a copy services module and link adapters, where the control module transmits notifications and starts a timer, stops it upon acknowledgement, and resets upon timeout, allowing simultaneous processing of multiple link status changes and maintaining accurate link status updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the copy services module continuously queries and validates link status to maintain synchronization, then link status accuracy is improved, but system complexity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The control module performs preliminary actions by proactively notifying the copy services module of link status changes before the CS module would naturally detect them. This anticipatory notification reduces the need for continuous validation queries, thereby maintaining status accuracy while reducing system complexity and time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a feedback mechanism where the control module monitors link status and provides feedback notifications to the copy services module. This feedback loop ensures the CS module maintains accurate link status information without requiring continuous active querying, thus resolving the contradiction between accuracy and complexity.
2Reliability
If the copy services module validates and updates link status for each change, then synchronization reliability is improved, but processing time increases due to the high rate of link status changes
Solution Approach 1:
The control module takes preliminary action by detecting and notifying link status changes before the copy services module would naturally validate them. This proactive approach ensures reliability is maintained through timely notifications while avoiding the time penalty of continuous validation cycles for every link status change.
3Productivity
If multiple link status changes are processed simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but synchronization accuracy may deteriorate due to the high rate of changes
Solution Approach 1:
The control module acts as an intermediary between the physical link and the copy services module. It buffers and manages multiple link status changes, providing a simplified interface to the CS module. This intermediary role enables simultaneous processing of multiple changes while maintaining accuracy by preventing information loss or confusion that would occur with direct simultaneous updates.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, system, and method are provided for controlling link status changes across multiple independent control modules. The apparatus includes a copy services module configured to control multiple link adapters, each configured to establish multiple communication links between a source and a target storage device. The adapter transmits a link status change notification to the copy services module and starts a timer upon transmitting the link status change notification. The copy services module simultaneously processes link status change notifications from a plurality of communication links. The system includes a communications network and a plurality of storage devices having the above described apparatus. The method includes controlling a plurality of link adapters configured to establish multiple communication links between storage devices, transmitting a link status change notification, starting a timer upon transmitting the link status change notification, and simultaneously processing link status change notifications from a plurality of communication links.