Storage Controller Copy-Speed Scheduling for Volume Copy Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Storage designers face challenges in optimizing the performance of copying volume data due to diverse requirements, often resulting in suboptimal copy speeds that do not fully utilize the potential of storage apparatus performance.
Innovation Solution
A storage apparatus with a storage controller that adjusts copy speed levels dynamically based on collected performance information and threshold values, optimizing copy operations for each time slot to enhance overall performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If copy speed is increased to improve copying performance, then productivity of volume data copying is improved, but interference with other storage processes increases and system stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic copy speed adjustment by changing the copy speed from a fixed value to a variable parameter that adapts to system conditions. The storage controller continuously monitors performance metrics and adjusts copy speed in real-time, transforming the static copying process into a dynamic one that responds to system state changes, thereby resolving the contradiction between copying performance and system stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of copy speed from a constant to a variable that can be adjusted based on system performance. By introducing performance thresholds and dynamically modifying the copy speed parameter according to monitored metrics, the system optimizes copying performance while preventing excessive interference with other processes, thus maintaining system stability.
2Productivity
If copy speed is set to high value to maximize copying performance, then productivity is improved, but interference with host I/O processes increases causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the storage controller monitors host I/O performance metrics and uses this information to adjust copy speed. When host I/O performance deteriorates due to copy operations, the system receives feedback and automatically reduces copy speed, creating a closed-loop control system that balances copying performance with host I/O performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the static copy speed setting into a dynamic parameter that responds to real-time system conditions. By continuously monitoring host I/O performance and adjusting copy speed accordingly, the system adapts to changing workloads and prevents performance degradation, resolving the contradiction between maximizing copying performance and maintaining host I/O performance.
3Reliability
If dedicated cache resources are limited to maintain system stability, then reliability is improved, but copying performance potential is not fully realized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach from limiting cache resources to dynamically adjusting copy speed parameters. Instead of constraining the system with fixed cache allocations, the system monitors performance metrics and adjusts the copy speed parameter to optimize utilization of available cache resources, thereby realizing copying performance potential while maintaining system stability through parameter optimization rather than resource restriction.
Data Source
AI summary
The copy performance of a storage apparatus is improved. The storage apparatus includes a storage controller that processes an I/O request from a host, and a storage device that stores data from the host. For each of a plurality of volumes, the storage controller stores a schedule indicative of a copy speed level for each of continuous time slots in a cycle. The storage controller collects information regarding current performance of the storage controller, stores the collected current performance information into a memory, and determines the copy speed level for a next time slot on the basis of the copy speed level for the next time slot indicated by the schedule and a relation between a value indicated by the performance information and a threshold value.