Multi-Protocol Data Copy Offload Command for Storage Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data copy operations across storage systems with different access protocols, such as SCSI and NVMe, are inefficient as they require host device resources, leading to performance issues due to the limitations of existing protocols like SCSI XCOPY commands which do not support multi-protocol data copy offload commands.
Innovation Solution
Implementing multi-protocol data copy offload commands that allow storage systems to copy data between logical storage devices using different access protocols, such as SCSI-FC and NVMeF, by generating a data copy offload command with a multi-protocol indicator, enabling the storage system to perform the copy operation, thereby reducing the burden on the host device resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data copying is performed by the host device, then data copy operation can be completed, but host device resources are excessively consumed and system performance is adversely impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data copy operation from the host device and relocates it to the storage system. The host device sends a copy command to the storage system, which then performs the actual data copying between logical storage devices. This extraction resolves the contradiction by completing the data copy operation while eliminating excessive host device resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage system acts as an intermediary between the host device and the logical storage devices. Instead of the host device directly copying data between storage devices, it issues a copy command to the storage system, which mediates the data transfer. This intermediary approach enables the data copy operation to complete while the host device consumes minimal resources.
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional SCSI XCOPY commands are used for data copy offload, then host device resource consumption is reduced, but the command cannot be used when source and destination logical storage devices utilize different storage access protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the conventional SCSI XCOPY command to support multiple storage access protocols (SCSI, NVMe, etc.). The copy command is designed to be universal, capable of handling data copying between logical storage devices regardless of their access protocols. This universality resolves the contradiction by maintaining low host device resource consumption while enabling multi-protocol support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the conventional SCSI XCOPY command by adding a protocol identifier parameter. This parameter change enables the command to adapt to different storage access protocols (SCSI, NVMe, etc.) while maintaining the same offload mechanism. The protocol identifier allows the storage system to interpret and execute the copy command appropriately for the source and destination devices' protocols, resolving the contradiction between resource efficiency and protocol versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If data copying is performed across different storage access protocols, then data migration between protocol types is enabled, but conventional copy commands fail to execute
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system acts as an intermediary that handles protocol conversion during data copying. When a copy command is issued between logical storage devices of different protocols, the storage system mediates the operation by translating the command and data transfer between protocols. This intermediary approach enables reliable cross-protocol data migration while maintaining copy command execution success.
Solution Approach 2:
The extended copy command is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple protocol scenarios. By incorporating protocol identifiers and making the command interpretable across different protocol contexts, the system enables reliable execution of copy operations between SCSI, NVMe, and other storage access protocols, resolving the contradiction between cross-protocol migration capability and command execution reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes at least one processing device, with the at least one processing device comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The at least one processing device is configured to generate a data copy offload command to offload a data copy operation from a host device to a storage system, the command comprising a multi-protocol indicator that specifies that data is to be copied from a source logical storage device that utilizes a first access protocol to a destination logical storage device that utilizes a second access protocol different than the first access protocol, and to send the data copy offload command from the host device to the storage system over a network for performance of the offloaded data copy operation in the storage system in accordance with the command. The first and second access protocols illustratively comprise respective SCSI and NVMe access protocols.