Storage Controller Virtual Volume Mapping Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage control techniques fail to effectively recognize and release storage areas holding unnecessary data, leading to inefficient use of storage resources, as they only delete management information and not the actual data, causing these areas to remain allocated and unused.
Innovation Solution
A storage controller with a control circuit that manages data migration between host systems and storage apparatuses, utilizing a first volume with no real storage area and a second volume with allocated storage, along with a control table to register and release real storage areas when management information is deleted, allowing for the detection and release of unnecessary data storage areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large-size logical volumes are allocated to host systems in the first place, then storage capacity shortage is prevented, but storage resources are wasted when host systems do not handle large amounts of data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-allocating logical volumes to host systems to ensure storage capacity availability, while simultaneously preparing the mechanism to release these allocations when not needed. The storage controller pre-establishes the logical volume structure and mapping relationships, but only physically allocates storage areas when data is actually written, thus preventing both capacity shortage and resource waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the storage area allocation flexible and changeable based on actual usage. The system dynamically adjusts the mapping between logical volumes and physical storage areas - when host systems write data, storage areas are allocated; when data is deleted, storage areas are released. This dynamic allocation resolves the contradiction between ensuring capacity availability and preventing resource waste.
2Productivity
If management information for data is deleted without deleting actual data, then host systems can recognize storage areas for reuse, but storage areas holding unnecessary data remain allocated and unused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by establishing a monitoring mechanism that tracks the relationship between logical volume management information and physical storage area allocation. When the storage controller detects that management information for a logical volume is deleted, it automatically triggers the release of the corresponding physical storage areas. This feedback loop ensures that storage areas are properly released and made available for reuse, resolving the contradiction between productivity and quantity of allocated storage.
3Ease of operation
If storage areas are not released after data deletion, then allocation simplicity is maintained, but storage resources accumulate and cannot be reused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the storage system to automatically manage its own resource allocation and release without external intervention. When data is deleted from a logical volume, the storage controller automatically detects this change and releases the corresponding physical storage areas back to the storage pool. This self-service mechanism maintains allocation simplicity while preventing resource accumulation, as the system autonomously handles the release process.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage controller having a plurality of storage devices and a control circuit providing a plurality of virtual volumes, to each of which a storage area in a plurality of pool volumes provided with the plurality of storage devices can be mapped for writing data in response to a write access sent from an information processing apparatus to a logical area in one of the plurality of virtual volumes, respectively. The control circuit, according to a search of the plurality of pool volumes for a certain storage area in which a certain data pattern is written, releases the certain storage area from mapping to a logical area in the plurality of virtual volumes, so that the control circuit can use the released certain storage area for mapping to a virtual volume of the plurality of virtual volumes as a destination of another write access from the information processing apparatus.