Remote Copy Virtual Volume Pairing Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing remote copy systems, the second storage system, which is virtual and lacks real volumes, cannot maintain data updates from the first storage system until the second pair is established, leading to potential data backup failures when transferring data to the third storage system.
Innovation Solution
The remote copy system employs a method where the state of the second pair is used to change the state of the first pair, allowing the setting of the first pair to commence only after the completion of the second pair's setting, ensuring data from the first storage device is reflected to the third storage device via the second storage device, thereby preventing data backup failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the second storage system uses virtual volumes instead of real volumes, then storage cost is reduced and space utilization is improved, but the system cannot maintain data updates from the first storage system until the second pair is established, leading to potential data backup failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the second pair between the virtual volume of the second storage system and the storage device of the third storage system before the first pair is fully operational. This ensures that the data transmission path is prepared in advance, allowing the virtual volume to immediately receive and forward data updates without interruption, thus preventing data backup failures while maintaining high space utilization.
2Ease of manufacture
If the second storage system uses virtual volumes, then system cost is reduced, but data transmission reliability is compromised because update data cannot be maintained until pair establishment
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual volume of the second storage system acts as an intermediary that forwards data updates directly from the first storage system to the third storage system. By establishing the second pair in advance, the virtual volume can immediately function as a data relay without needing to maintain local copies, thus reducing system cost while ensuring continuous and reliable data transmission through the intermediary mechanism.
3Reliability
If data replication is performed through an intermediate storage system, then long-distance remote copy with prevention of data loss is achieved, but the complexity of pair establishment and management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by pre-establishing the second pair between the virtual volume and the third storage system before initiating data replication. This advance preparation simplifies the overall pair establishment process by ensuring that the intermediate transmission path is ready, reducing the complexity of coordinating multiple pairs while maintaining data loss prevention through the intermediate storage system.
Data Source
AI summary
A remote copy system includes a first storage device performing data transmission/reception with a host computer, a second storage device receiving data from the first storage device, and a third storage device receiving data from the second storage device. The first storage device includes a logical volume, the second storage device includes a logical volume being a virtual volume, and the third storage device includes a logical volume. The first storage system changes the state of a first pair of the logical volumes based on the state of a second pair of the logical volumes. With such a remote copy system and a method for use therein, any data backup failure can be prevented.