Metadata Copy for Deduplicated Storage Objects

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional data copying methods in storage systems are inefficient, as they often involve redundant data block copying and deduplication processing, which increases processing time and I/O load, especially when source and target logical objects are subject to deduplicating techniques.

Innovation Solution

The method employs deduplication logic to update metadata of target logical objects instead of copying contents, allowing source and target objects to share data blocks, thereby skipping redundant data block copying and reducing processing overhead.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional data copying methods are used, then data can be copied between logical objects, but processing time increases and I/O load increases due to redundant data block copying and deduplication processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecopy operation efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a metadata copy approach where instead of copying actual data blocks, the system copies only the metadata (pointers, references, and mapping information) from the source logical object to the target logical object. This allows the target object to reference the same data blocks as the source object, eliminating redundant data copying while maintaining data integrity and enabling efficient deduplication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential metadata information (pointers, references, and mapping relationships) from the source logical object and transfers this to the target logical object, while leaving the actual data blocks in place. This extraction of critical information enables the target object to access shared data without requiring physical copying of the data blocks themselves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If conventional data copying methods are used, then data can be copied between logical objects, but I/O load increases due to redundant data block copying and deduplication processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecopy operation efficiencyVSAvoidI/O load

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a metadata copy approach where instead of copying actual data blocks, the system copies only the metadata (pointers, references, and mapping information) from the source logical object to the target logical object. This allows the target object to reference the same data blocks as the source object, eliminating redundant data copying while maintaining data integrity and enabling efficient deduplication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the data storage function with the data reference function by allowing multiple logical objects to share the same physical data blocks through metadata references. This consolidation eliminates redundant data copies and reduces I/O operations by combining access to shared data blocks across multiple objects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Quantity of substance

If deduplicating techniques are applied to source and target logical objects, then data sharing is enabled, but copy operations become complex requiring metadata updates instead of direct data copying

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata sharing capabilityVSAvoidcopy operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a metadata copy approach where instead of copying actual data blocks, the system copies only the metadata (pointers, references, and mapping information) from the source logical object to the target logical object. This allows the target object to reference the same data blocks as the source object, eliminating redundant data copying while maintaining data integrity and enabling efficient deduplication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary metadata setup and mapping configuration before the actual data access occurs. By pre-establishing the metadata relationships and reference structures, the system enables efficient data sharing and deduplication without requiring complex real-time processing during data copy operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9891860B1Managing copying of data in storage systems

Publication Date: 2018.02.13 DELL EMC

AI summary

A method is used in managing copying of data in storage systems. A request is received to copy a portion of a source logical object to a target logical object. The source and target logical objects are subject to a deduplicating technique. The portion of the source logical object is copied to the target logical object by updating metadata of the target logical object. The target logical object shares the portion of the source logical object.