Mounted Volume Write Routing for Read-Only Data Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage systems struggle to allow users to access data from a second storage device without modifying the data, particularly for non-experts, and existing methods require snapshotting which can be complex.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that processes write requests from a first storage system based on the attribute of a mounted volume, determining the write destination to either the first or second storage system, allowing immediate access without data modification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If data is accessed from a second storage device without copying, then data availability is improved, but data integrity is compromised due to modification

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access timeVSAvoiddata integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a copy of data from the second storage device and stores it in a first storage device. This allows users to access the copied data immediately without waiting for data transfer, while the original data remains intact in the second storage device, thus resolving the contradiction between fast access and data integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If a snapshot is taken to access data without modification, then data integrity is maintained, but operational complexity increases for non-experts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidsnapshot operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs the snapshot operation and data copying process without requiring user intervention. Users simply need to provide access credentials, and the system handles the complex snapshot creation and data transfer automatically, thus maintaining data integrity while simplifying operations for non-experts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If write requests are immediately processed in the first storage system, then operational simplicity is improved, but data consistency deteriorates when data is still being copied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewrite request processingVSAvoiddata consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism that monitors the data copying status. When data is being copied from the second storage device, the system receives feedback about the copy status and automatically redirects subsequent write requests to the second storage device. Once copying is complete, write requests are redirected back to the first storage system, thus maintaining data consistency while keeping operations simple for users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12487769B2Acceleration secondary use of data

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 HITACHI VANTARA LTD

AI summary

Systems and methods described herein can involve, for receipt of a write request from a server to a first storage system associated with a mounted volume having an attribute of read only or read/write, the write request processed by a second storage system, the second storage system setting the write destination of write data associated with the write request to the first storage system or the second storage system based on the attribute.