Source-Defined Snapshot Policy Transfer to Destination Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional data storage systems lack centralized control over snapshot attributes when transferring snapshots to remote systems, leading to duplicated effort and potential errors in managing snap policies.

Innovation Solution

Specifying and transferring policy information from a source data storage system to a destination system to implement policies on snapshots, enabling single-point control and efficient management of snapshots across different storage systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If administrators of remote data storage systems manually set attributes of snapshots stored on remote systems, then control over snapshot attributes is distributed, but this leads to duplicated effort and potential errors in managing snap policies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesnapshot attribute managementVSAvoidpolicy consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces policy information as an intermediary that carries snapshot management policies from the source data storage system to the destination system. This intermediary mechanism automatically transmits retention policies, accessibility policies, and other snapshot attributes, eliminating the need for manual configuration at the destination while ensuring policy consistency across systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The source data storage system establishes snapshot policies in advance before snapshots are replicated to the destination. By pre-configuring retention periods, accessibility rules, and other attributes at the source, the system ensures that when snapshots are replicated, the destination system already has the necessary policy information to automatically enforce consistent snapshot management without requiring manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the same administrator controls both source and destination systems, then policy consistency can be maintained, but this requires duplicated effort and increases system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolicy consistencyVSAvoidsystem control architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The policy information structure acts as an intermediary that encapsulates all snapshot management policies. This intermediary is automatically transferred from the source to the destination system, eliminating the need for the administrator to manually configure the same policies on both systems. The destination system receives and automatically applies these policies, reducing administrative burden while maintaining consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The destination data storage system is equipped with the capability to automatically receive, interpret, and enforce snapshot policies without requiring manual configuration by administrators. The system self-configures snapshot attributes based on the transferred policy information, reducing the need for complex multi-system administration and minimizing human intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If snapshot policies are managed separately at source and destination systems, then each system has independent control, but this leads to potential errors and increased management overhead

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem independenceVSAvoidpolicy accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses policy information as an intermediary structure that is transferred from the source to the destination system. This intermediary ensures that the destination system receives accurate, pre-configured snapshot policies including retention periods, accessibility rules, and other attributes. The destination system then enforces these policies automatically, maintaining policy accuracy while allowing the destination to independently manage its snapshot storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Snapshot policies are established and validated at the source system before replication occurs. The source system prepares the policy information in advance, ensuring accuracy and consistency. When the snapshots are replicated to the destination, the policies are already finalized and ready for automatic enforcement, eliminating the need for separate policy configuration and reducing the risk of errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10678650B1Managing snaps at a destination based on policies specified at a source

Publication Date: 2020.06.09 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

Improved techniques for managing snaps of a data object hosted by a source data storage system (source) involve specifying, by the source, a set of policies for snaps of the data object that are stored on a destination data storage system (destination). The technique includes transferring the set of policies from the source to the destination, to enable the destination to implement the specified set of policies on the snaps at the destination.