Remote Storage Object Mapping for Heterogeneous Data Mobility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data mobility solutions face challenges in accessing and efficiently copying data between heterogeneous data storage systems due to complexities in providing control path and data path access, especially when systems from different vendors are involved, leading to resource-intensive host-based operations and lack of standard mechanisms for accessing remote or archived storage objects.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of remote system adapters that facilitate control path sessions and data path connections between systems, allowing for the mapping of remote storage objects as local objects, enabling efficient data copy operations by translating local storage object names to remote storage object identifiers and using customized protocols for access control structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If host-based data copying operations are used to access remote storage objects between heterogeneous systems, then data mobility is achieved, but host resource utilization and network traffic increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata mobilityVSAvoidhost resource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces remote system adapters as intermediary components that establish control path sessions and data path connections between heterogeneous storage systems. These adapters handle the complexity of cross-system access, allowing storage objects to be mapped and accessed directly between systems without requiring host-based intervention for data copying operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the data copying function from the host system and relocates it to the storage system level. By implementing copy operations within the storage infrastructure using established data paths and control paths, the host is relieved of the resource-intensive task of managing data transfers between remote storage objects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If standard access mechanisms are used for remote storage objects, then compatibility is improved, but access efficiency to archived or remote data deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem compatibilityVSAvoiddata access efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic path selection and mapping mechanisms that adapt to the specific characteristics of remote storage objects. The system can dynamically establish control path sessions and data path connections based on the location and type of storage object being accessed, optimizing the access path for archived or remote data while maintaining compatibility through standardized protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If control path and data path access are provided for heterogeneous systems, then remote storage object accessibility is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote storage object accessibilityVSAvoidcontrol path and data path configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the storage systems automatically establish control path sessions and configure data path connections when remote storage objects need to be accessed. The remote system adapters handle the complexity of path configuration and session management autonomously, reducing the burden on system administrators while improving accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If host-based reads and writes are used for copy operations, then data copying between systems is achieved, but network traffic and host resource utilization increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata copying capabilityVSAvoidnetwork traffic

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the data copying function from host-based operations and relocates it to storage system-level operations. By implementing copy operations within the storage infrastructure using established data paths and control paths, the host is relieved of the resource-intensive task of managing data transfers, and network traffic is optimized by utilizing direct storage-to-storage paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11640241B2Remote storage object techniques

Publication Date: 2023.05.02 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A data path connection can be established between a target of a remote source system and an initiator of a local destination system. A storage object of the remote source system exposed over such a data path connection can be mapped to a local storage object name of the local destination system. Such a remote storage object of the remote source system can be accessed as a local storage object of the local destination system using the local storage object name. Within the destination system, the local storage object name of the destination system can be used as a proxy to access the remote storage object of the remote source system. Accessing the remote storage object from the destination system can be used in several data mobility use cases, including, but not limited to, offloaded data copy across arrays, snapshot mobility and backup use-cases.