Point-in-Time Copy Space Checker and On-Demand Migration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional point-in-time copy operations often fail due to insufficient space on target volumes, leading to performance degradation and missed service-level agreements (SLAs), as they do not proactively ensure sufficient storage space before initiating the copy job.

Innovation Solution

A method that runs a space checker program to identify required source data sets and eligible target volumes, determines if sufficient space is available, and issues an on-demand migration to free up space if necessary, ensuring sufficient storage before performing the point-in-time copy job.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If point-in-time copy operations are performed without proactive space checking, then the copy job can be initiated quickly, but the operation may fail due to insufficient space on target volumes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepoint-in-time copy job success rateVSAvoidjob elapsed time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by running a space checker program before initiating the point-in-time copy job to proactively identify and resolve insufficient space conditions. The system checks available space on target volumes, determines the space required for the copy operation, and performs on-demand migration of data to free up necessary space before the copy job starts, thereby preventing job failure while maintaining efficient execution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by preemptively migrating data off target volumes before the copy operation begins. By detecting potential space insufficiency in advance and performing migration to counteract this condition, the system prevents the harmful effect of space exhaustion that would otherwise cause the copy job to fail

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Reliability

If space checking and on-demand migration are performed before point-in-time copy, then sufficient space is ensured on target volumes, but additional processing time is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace availability guaranteeVSAvoidcopy operation throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs space checking and on-demand migration as preliminary actions before the actual copy operation. The space checker program identifies eligible target volumes and calculates required space, then triggers migration only when insufficient space is detected, ensuring that the main copy operation can proceed without interruption while minimizing overhead through conditional execution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies self-service by automatically monitoring space conditions and triggering on-demand migration without external intervention. The space checker program autonomously determines when migration is needed and executes the migration process, freeing up space that the copy operation can then utilize without manual space management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If conventional point-in-time copy operations are used without space management, then the system structure remains simple, but failure events occur due to insufficient target volume space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace management complexityVSAvoidcopy job completion reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary space checker program that mediates between the copy job initiation and the actual copy operation. This intermediary component automatically manages space requirements by checking availability and triggering on-demand migration, shielding the main copy operation from space management complexity while ensuring reliable execution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies self-service through automated space monitoring and on-demand migration that operates without external intervention. The space checker program autonomously detects space insufficiency and triggers migration processes, enabling the system to self-manage space requirements and prevent failures without adding complex manual space management procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11789636B2Ensuring sufficient space is available on target volumes before performing a point-in-time copy job

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A computer-implemented method according to one embodiment includes, prior to executing a point-in-time copy job, running a space checker program to generate a list that includes: source data sets that will be used in the point-in-time copy job and a pool of potential target volumes that are eligible to be used for the point-in-time copy job. The method further includes determining that insufficient space is available on the potential target volumes to perform the point-in-time copy job. An on-demand migration is issued against one or more target volumes of the pool of potential target volumes for ensuring there is sufficient space available on the one or more target volumes associated with the issued on-demand migration to perform the point-in-time copy job. The method further includes performing the point-in-time copy job.