Placeholder Handle for Dynamic Snapshot Volume Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for accessing data in external virtual memory require manual intervention and maintain unnecessary ITLs and host viewable volumes due to the overhead of managing a large number of snapshots, leading to inefficient snapshot provisioning and resource management.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that provision a placeholder handle to hosts, allowing dynamic association with selected volumes, reducing the number of ITLs and host viewable volumes by automating snapshot access and using a placeholder volume that can be dynamically attached to different volumes, minimizing human intervention and optimizing resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual provisioning of ITLs and host viewable volumes is used for each snapshot, then access control and volume mapping are ensured, but device complexity and administrative overhead increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The placeholder handle serves multiple functions: it acts as a universal access point for hosts to snapshots, replaces the need for individual ITLs for each snapshot, and enables dynamic volume association. This multi-functional component resolves the contradiction by maintaining access control while eliminating the complexity of managing separate ITLs for each snapshot.
Solution Approach 2:
The placeholder handle acts as an intermediary between the host and the actual snapshot volumes. Instead of directly managing complex ITL mappings, the system uses this intermediate placeholder that can be dynamically associated with different volumes, thereby simplifying the access control mechanism while maintaining security and control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If individual ITLs are maintained for each snapshot, then snapshot access is enabled, but the number of ITLs and host viewable volumes increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple snapshot access requests are merged into a single placeholder handle. Instead of creating separate ITLs for each snapshot, the system combines the access functionality into one placeholder that can be dynamically associated with any snapshot volume, thereby reducing the total number of ITLs while maintaining full snapshot access capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The placeholder handle is designed to be dynamic rather than static. It can be reassocited with different snapshot volumes as needed, allowing the system to adapt to changing access requirements without creating permanent ITL mappings for each possible snapshot. This dynamic approach reduces the quantity of ITLs needed while maintaining versatility.
3Reliability
If a large number of snapshots are created, then data protection and versioning are improved, but resource management efficiency decreases due to overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The complex volume management overhead is extracted and separated from the snapshot creation process. The placeholder handle mechanism allows snapshots to be created without immediately provisioning full ITL mappings, thereby enabling efficient resource management while maintaining data protection capabilities. The actual volume association is deferred until needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The placeholder handle system enables self-service snapshot management. When a host needs to access a snapshot, it requests the placeholder handle which automatically associates with the appropriate volume without requiring manual administrative intervention. This automates the process and improves resource management efficiency while maintaining robust data protection.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a storage system are provided for accessing volumes. The storage system provisions to a host, a place holder handle configured for allowing access to any volume selected by the host and allowed to be accessed by the host. The volume forms part of accessible volumes included in the storage system. The storage system receives from the host a first request for associating the place holder handle with a first selected volume from among the accessible volumes and enables the host to access the first selected volume in response to receiving an access request indicative of the place holder handle.