Unique Identifier Generation for Replicated Storage Volumes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage systems face challenges in uniquely identifying and managing replicated storage copies across networks and data centers, as they rely on limited identifiers that are recycled, leading to inefficiencies and potential errors in renaming or deleting snapshots.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that generate unique identifiers for replicated storage volumes using a timestamp, system clock, and adapter address, allowing for the derivation of first and second identifiers by replacing original identifiers with logical and physical identifiers, respectively, to uniquely identify and manage snapshots without recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional systems use limited recycled identifiers for replicated copies, then the identifier system remains simple, but the system cannot uniquely identify a growing number of replicated copies across networks and data centers
Solution Approach 1:
The identifier is segmented into multiple distinct components: timestamp portion, system clock portion, and adapter address portion. Each component serves a specific function in ensuring unique identification, allowing the system to handle growing numbers of replicated copies without relying on simple recycled identifiers
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from using simple recycled numeric identifiers to a multi-dimensional identifier structure that incorporates time (timestamp and system clock) and spatial/physical information (adapter address). This dimensional expansion enables unique identification across distributed networks and data centers
2Ease of operation
If identifiers are recycled when replicated copies are deleted, then the identifier space remains limited and manageable, but errors in renaming or deleting wrong snapshots occur
Solution Approach 1:
The identifier is constructed in advance with multiple unique components (timestamp, system clock, adapter address) before the replicated copy is created. This preliminary construction ensures that each identifier is inherently unique from its creation, preventing confusion when managing multiple snapshots without recycling
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary translation mechanism that maps between the complex unique identifier and simpler representation forms. This intermediary layer enables accurate snapshot identification and management operations while maintaining the uniqueness guarantees of the full identifier
3Reliability
If a unique identifier with multiple components is generated for each replicated copy, then unique identification and management of snapshots is achieved, but the identifier structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The identifier is segmented into multiple distinct components: timestamp portion, system clock portion, and adapter address portion. Each component serves a specific function in ensuring unique identification, allowing the system to handle growing numbers of replicated copies without relying on simple recycled identifiers
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-component identifier structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: ensuring uniqueness through timestamp and system clock, providing physical location information through adapter address, and enabling various management operations. This universal structure handles identification, tracking, and management tasks across distributed systems
Data Source
AI summary
Method and system for uniquely identifying a replicated copy of a storage volume is provided. A unique identifier is created by a storage system managing the replicated copy. The unique identifier includes a time stamp of when the identifier is being created, a system clock of the storage system and a unique address for an adapter that is used by the storage system.