Remote Copy System with Matching RAID Compression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote copy systems between storage systems face high communication costs due to the inability to effectively reduce data transfer volumes, even when using storage devices with compression functions, as the data type often limits compression efficiency and requires additional appliances for compression, which are costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a remote copy system with RAID groups in both storage systems, where each storage device within the RAID groups has matching compression/decompression functions, allowing for the direct transfer and storage of compressed data without decompression, ensuring data consistency and reduction in data transfer volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an appliance for compressing and sending data is purchased and installed separately from the storage system, then data compression capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the data compression function directly into the storage device by integrating a compression unit within the storage device structure. This eliminates the need for separate external compression appliances, reducing system complexity while maintaining data compression capability. The compression unit is embedded in the storage device and works seamlessly with the controller and memory components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an appliance is purchased and installed for data compression, then compression function is added, but the extent of data amount reduction is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs data compression in advance at the source storage device before data is transferred to the destination storage system. By compressing the data during the write operation at the source, the transmitted data amount is significantly reduced from the beginning, rather than attempting compression after data has already been sent or stored uncompressed.
3Ease of operation
If compressed data is read from storage device and decompressed, then data accessibility is improved, but data transfer volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary decompression function at the destination storage device, rather than decompressing all data. The destination device has a decompression unit that can selectively decompress data only when it needs to be accessed or used, leaving compressed data stored and transmitted in its compressed form for maximum space efficiency.
4Productivity
If data compression is implemented at storage device level, then data transfer efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal compression unit within the storage device that can handle various types of data with a single integrated component. This multi-functional approach allows the same compression hardware to work with different data formats and workloads, simplifying manufacturing compared to having specialized compression devices for different data types.
Data Source
AI summary
A first storage system comprises a first RAID group comprising multiple first storage devices, which constitute the basis of a first logical volume. A second storage system comprises a second RAID group comprising multiple second storage devices, which constitute the basis of a second logical volume. The RAID configuration of the first RAID group and the RAID configuration of the second RAID group are the same, and the type of a compression/decompression function of the respective first storage devices and the type of a compression/decompression function of the respective second storage devices are the same. Compressed data is read from a first storage device without being decompressed with respect to the data inside a first logical volume, and the read compressed data is written to a second storage device, which is in the same location in RAID in the second RAID group as the location in RAID of this first storage device.