Remote Xcopy Command for Storage Mirror Data Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage systems face inefficiencies in synchronously mirrored storage objects, as they often require unnecessary data transmission between primary and secondary sites during replication, which can be wasteful since the data may already be present at the secondary site.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where the primary site storage array checks for write-pendings and Invalids on mirrored storage objects before sending a remote Xcopy command to the secondary site, thereby avoiding data transmission by directly mirroring the local copy from the primary site's mirror to the secondary site's mirror.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is transmitted from primary site to secondary site during replication, then data consistency is maintained, but data transmission efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary transmission when data already exists at secondary site
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by checking for write-pendings and Invalids on the source storage object at the primary site before initiating data transmission. This preliminary check determines whether data already exists at the secondary site, allowing the system to avoid unnecessary transmission while maintaining data consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by monitoring the status of storage objects (write-pendings and Invalids) at the primary site and using this information to control data transmission decisions. The feedback loop ensures that data is only transmitted when necessary, optimizing transmission efficiency while preserving data consistency.
2Ease of operation
If remote Xcopy command is sent to secondary site, then data can be copied to mirrored storage objects, but unnecessary data transmission occurs when data already exists at secondary site
Solution Approach 1:
Before sending the remote Xcopy command, the system performs preliminary checks for write-pendings and Invalids on the source storage object. This preliminary action prevents unnecessary data transmission by determining in advance whether the data already exists at the secondary site, thereby reducing transmission overhead while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the secondary site to maintain its own data through local mirrors. When the primary site determines that data already exists at the secondary site through the preliminary check, the system avoids external data transmission by leveraging the existing local copies, thereby reducing energy consumption.
3Reliability
If data transmission is performed during replication, then data atomicity is ensured, but transmission time increases reducing replication speed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary checks for write-pendings and Invalids before initiating data transmission. This preliminary action ensures data atomicity by verifying the state of storage objects before replication, while simultaneously improving replication speed by avoiding unnecessary transmission when data already exists at the secondary site.
Data Source
AI summary
Receipt of an Xcopy command to copy data between storage objects that are both mirrored by a remote storage system prompts a local storage system to generate a remote Xcopy to prompt the remote storage system to copy the data between the remote mirrors of the storage objects, thereby avoiding transmission of the data from the local storage system to the remote storage system. If there are write-pendings or invalids on the tracks designated by the local Xcopy, then the associated data is sent to the remote storage system. Similarly, the associated data is sent if the code levels of the local and remote storage systems are incompatible.