Replication Manager Translating Operations for Heterogeneous Data Stores

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing distributed storage systems face challenges in replicating data across heterogeneous data stores due to differences in system configurations, leading to inefficiencies and reliability issues in large-scale storage environments.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that include a replication manager to identify and translate native replication operations into target replication operations compatible with different system configurations, using a compatibility engine and translation functions to facilitate data transfer between heterogeneous data stores.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data replication is performed between heterogeneous data stores with different system configurations, then data redundancy and reliability are improved, but configuration incompatibility and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata replication reliabilityVSAvoidreplication configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a replication manager as an intermediary component that sits between the source and target data stores. This replication manager translates native replication operations from the source system into target replication operations compatible with the heterogeneous target system configuration, thereby enabling reliable replication without requiring direct compatibility between the two systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts replication parameters and operation types based on the target system's configuration. The replication manager identifies the target system's capabilities and modifies the replication approach accordingly, changing parameters such as replication mode, operation type, and data format to ensure compatibility while maintaining replication reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If native replication operations are used directly without translation, then replication speed is maintained, but configuration incompatibility causes replication failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereplication speedVSAvoidreplication success rate

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary identification of the target system's configuration and capabilities before executing replication operations. The replication manager queries the target system to determine its supported operations and parameters, then pre-configures the translation mapping accordingly. This preliminary action ensures that the subsequent replication operations are compatible with the target system, preventing failures while maintaining efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If translation functions are implemented for each target system configuration, then compatibility with heterogeneous systems is improved, but system complexity and overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem compatibilityVSAvoidtranslation function complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal translation framework within the replication manager that can handle multiple target system configurations through a single unified interface. Rather than implementing separate translation functions for each target system, the replication manager uses a configuration-driven approach where translation rules are dynamically selected based on the target system's characteristics, making the system versatile without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Manufacturing precision

If manual management of configuration differences is performed, then replication accuracy can be maintained, but operational time and effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereplication accuracyVSAvoidconfiguration management time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automated configuration management within the replication manager that self-adapts to target system configurations. The system automatically identifies configuration differences, selects appropriate translation rules, and adjusts replication parameters without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability maintains replication accuracy while eliminating the time and effort previously required for manual configuration management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11169728B2Replication configuration for multiple heterogeneous data stores

Publication Date: 2021.11.09 WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

Example distributed storage systems, replication managers, and methods provide replication configurations for data transfers to multiple heterogeneous data stores. A first object data store includes multiple storage buckets for replication to different data stores. Different target storage systems have different system configurations that are different than the native system configuration. For each storage bucket and corresponding target storage system, a native replication operation is translated to a target replication operation compatible with the target system configuration and the target replication operation is used to replicate the selected storage bucket to the corresponding target storage system.