Remote Storage Initialization via Region Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
In data storage systems, especially those implementing virtualization, there is a challenge in synchronizing remote and local storage devices efficiently, particularly when initial remote regions do not match their corresponding local regions, leading to data inconsistencies across mirrored storage facilities, especially over wide area networks.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to detect mismatched initial remote regions, identify matching subsequent remote regions, and replace the data in the initial remote region with data from the subsequent remote region, using checksums for signature matching and updating, thereby ensuring data consistency without relying on wide area network transfers for synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is transferred from local storage to remote storage over wide area network for synchronization, then data consistency between local and remote storage devices is improved, but network bandwidth consumption and transfer time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by transferring only the specific data blocks that differ between local and remote storage devices, rather than transferring all data. The system identifies mismatched blocks through checksum comparison and transfers only those specific blocks, reducing overall network bandwidth consumption while maintaining data consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by using checksums stored locally at the remote storage device to verify data matching. Each data block has an associated checksum that can be compared locally without requiring full data transfer, enabling efficient identification of which blocks need synchronization.
2Reliability
If all remote regions are synchronized with local regions, then data consistency is improved, but synchronization time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the remote storage device into multiple remote regions and the local storage device into multiple local regions. By comparing and synchronizing regions individually rather than treating the entire storage as a single unit, the system can identify and transfer only the specific regions that contain mismatched data, reducing overall synchronization time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial synchronization by identifying only the regions that contain mismatched data blocks and synchronizing only those specific regions. This avoids the unnecessary computational overhead and time required to synchronize entire storage devices when most regions may already be in sync.
3Measurement precision
If checksum verification is performed for every data block, then data integrity is improved, but computational overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing checksum verification only on data blocks that are suspected to be mismatched or need verification, rather than verifying every single data block in the storage system. This selective verification approach maintains data integrity for critical blocks while reducing overall computational overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
An initial remote region of a first remote storage device of a remote storage system not matching a corresponding local region of a local storage device of a remote local system is detected. A subsequent remote region on the remote storage system matching the initial remote region is identified. Data in the initial remote region is replaced with data from the subsequent remote region.