Snapshot Creation via Version Data Group Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distributed storage systems face challenges in creating snapshots across multiple storage sites without halting input-output (I/O) operations, which can impact application processing and data integrity.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for creating snapshots across primary and secondary storage systems by retrieving a cross-platform version data group (VDG) definition, processing it to identify target storage systems, detecting consistency formation events, and transmitting instructions to initialize and complete snapshot data structures while minimizing I/O suspension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If snapshots are created across multiple storage sites, then data integrity and availability are improved, but I/O operations must be halted which impacts application processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by first retrieving the VDG definition and identifying target storage systems before initiating the snapshot creation process. This allows the system to prepare the necessary data structures and coordination mechanisms in advance, enabling snapshots to be created without halting I/O operations and thus maintaining application processing while ensuring data integrity across multiple storage sites.
2Reliability
If snapshots are created across multiple storage sites, then data availability is improved, but the overhead of creating data copies increases
Solution Approach 1:
The VDG definition serves multiple functions: it identifies primary and secondary storage systems, defines the scope of snapshot creation, and coordinates the snapshot process across distributed sites. This multi-functional approach reduces the overhead of creating data copies by consolidating management operations and enabling efficient snapshot creation across multiple storage sites without proportionally increasing resource consumption.
3Reliability
If I/O operations are suspended for snapshot creation, then data integrity is ensured, but system performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by creating snapshots without suspending I/O operations. The VDG-based coordination mechanism allows snapshot data structures to be initialized and populated concurrently with ongoing I/O operations, ensuring both data integrity through consistent snapshot capture and system performance through uninterrupted processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, comprising: retrieving a VDG definition; processing the VDG definition to identify a primary storage system and one or more secondary storage systems; detecting a consistency formation event; transmitting a first instruction to initialize one or more data structures for a first snapshot of a volume that is stored in the primary storage system; transmitting, to each of the secondary storage systems, a respective second instruction to initialize one or more data structures for a respective snapshot of a copy of the volume that is stored in that secondary storage system; suspending servicing of input-output (I/O) by the primary storage system; transmitting to the primary storage system a third instruction to complete the first snapshot of the volume; transmitting to each of the secondary storage systems a respective fourth instruction to complete a respective snapshot of the copy of the volume; and resuming servicing of I/O.