Storage Controller Migration via Data Management Information Copying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems face challenges in non-disruptive migration of data between storage devices with different hardware configurations and data management forms, leading to performance issues and inefficient replacement cycles due to the need for reconstructing volume configurations and managing changes in I/O operations.
Innovation Solution
A storage system with a processor and memory that includes a first and second storage control unit, where data management information is copied from one unit to another, allowing both units to store write data in separate areas, enabling non-disruptive migration while sharing an external storage medium and accommodating different data management formats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is migrated from migration source storage device to migration destination storage device using non-disruptive migration technique, then access from host computer is not stopped, but performance is influenced in long term when volume of data to be migrated is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the storage system into multiple storage devices (migration source and migration destination) and segments the data migration process. By configuring multiple paths between host computers and storage devices, the system can migrate data in segments across different paths, allowing continuous access while distributing the performance impact across multiple channels rather than a single bottleneck path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an external storage medium as an intermediary between the migration source and migration destination storage devices. This external medium serves as a buffer that temporarily holds data during migration, reducing the direct burden on the migration paths and minimizing performance impact on host access while enabling continuous data transfer in the background.
2Ease of manufacture
If storage devices to be exchanged have same hardware configuration and data management form, then replacement can be executed by copying migration source information, but this is limited to cases with identical configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal data management system that can handle multiple storage device configurations through a common external storage medium interface. The system is designed to work with different hardware configurations and data management forms by abstracting the migration process through the external medium, making the replacement process adaptable to various scenarios rather than requiring identical configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameter changes in storage device configurations during migration by using the external storage medium as a flexible intermediary. The system can adjust data management parameters, mapping relationships, and configuration settings to accommodate different hardware configurations while maintaining the migration process, allowing versatility in replacement scenarios.
3Productivity
If storage medium is shared among storage devices, then replacement can be executed at suitable cycle for each storage controller and storage medium, but data redundancy must be executed among storage controllers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data management functions across multiple storage controllers while sharing a common external storage medium. Each controller manages specific portions of data or specific storage devices, allowing independent replacement cycles for each controller-medium pair. This segmentation reduces the complexity of coordinating redundancy across the entire system while maintaining data safety through distributed management.
Data Source
AI summary
In a case of exchanging a migration source storage controller and a migration destination storage controller sharing one storage medium during replacement of storage devices, when hardware configurations or data management forms of the storage controllers are different, data in the storage medium cannot be shared even when data management information can be copied. Accordingly, a storage system, having a storage control unit and a storage drive provided with a storage medium, includes data management information for accessing data in the storage drive. A first storage control unit copies data management information about the data in the storage drive to a second storage control unit. When a write request is received from a host after copying of the data management information begins, each of the first storage and second storage control units stores write data related to the write request in a separate storage area of the storage drive.