Replica Hierarchy Migration for Storage Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data protection systems require system shutdown during backups, limit recovery points, and are time-consuming and resource-intensive, resulting in potential data loss and inefficiencies in disaster recovery.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for migrating a replica hierarchy from a source device to a target device in a storage system, allowing seamless data migration without system downtime, by configuring and migrating internal and leaf nodes, and performing a cutover operation to deactivate the source device, enabling continuous operation and efficient data recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data backup is performed using traditional data protection systems, then data is copied to backup storage, but system shutdown is required during backup operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the backup system into multiple components: source storage system, target storage system, and replica hierarchy (including internal nodes and leaf nodes). This segmentation allows the backup process to occur in discrete, manageable units that can be replicated and migrated without shutting down the entire system, resolving the contradiction between data protection and system availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by creating a replica hierarchy structure in advance, configuring internal nodes and leaf nodes before the actual data migration. This preliminary setup enables the system to switch to the replicated data structure without interruption, maintaining system availability while ensuring data protection through pre-established replicas.
2Reliability
If traditional backup systems are used, then data is backed up periodically, but recovery points are limited to backup timestamps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous data replication through the replica hierarchy, where data is continuously copied and synchronized from the source storage system to the target storage system. This continuous replication creates multiple recovery points throughout the data structure, allowing recovery to any point in time rather than being limited to periodic backup timestamps, thus reducing potential data loss while maintaining reliable data protection.
3Reliability
If data replication is performed, then data is copied to secondary storage, but the process is time-consuming and resource-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a nested doll structure by organizing the replica hierarchy with internal nodes containing child nodes and leaf nodes. This nested structure allows efficient data management where smaller replication units are contained within larger structures, enabling selective replication and recovery of specific data portions rather than requiring complete system-wide replication, thereby reducing time and resource consumption while maintaining data protection.
4Reliability
If replica hierarchy is migrated from source to target device, then data protection is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal replica hierarchy structure that can be applied across different storage systems and configurations. The internal nodes and leaf nodes serve multiple functions: they store data, maintain replication relationships, and enable various recovery operations. This multi-functional design standardizes the complexity rather than increasing it, as the same structural pattern handles multiple data protection and recovery scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
Described embodiments may provide systems and processes for migrating a replica hierarchy from at least one source device to at least one target device in a storage system. A configuration of the replica hierarchy is migrated, one or more internal nodes of the replica hierarchy are migrated, and one or more leaf nodes of the replica hierarchy are migrated. A cutover operation is performed by deactivating the at least one source device associated with the included replica hierarchy.