Storage Device Background Copy I/O Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data restore operations in storage networks face challenges such as space and processing costs, as well as the inability to perform input/output operations during data duplication, which limits the efficiency and flexibility of data recovery processes.
Innovation Solution
A storage device with a processor and memory module that manages input/output operations during a background copy process, allowing for contemporaneous access to data and efficient storage by updating metadata to define restore relationships and executing a background copy process between snapshots and source volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is copied to create a point-in-time copy for restore operations, then data recovery capability is improved, but storage space is consumed and I/O operations are blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by creating snapshots that capture the state of storage volumes at specific points in time. These snapshots are prepared in advance and can be used for restore operations without blocking current I/O operations, as the snapshot creation process is designed to be transparent to ongoing data access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements copying by creating point-in-time copies (snapshots) of storage volumes. However, it optimizes this copying process by using space-efficient techniques where only changed data blocks are copied rather than entire volumes, and by allowing the source volume to remain accessible during snapshot creation through asynchronous copy operations.
2Reliability
If all disk volume data is copied to create snapshots, then data integrity is ensured, but significant storage space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by differentiating between copied and shared data blocks. Instead of uniformly copying all data, it identifies and copies only the specific data blocks that have changed since the previous snapshot, while allowing unchanged blocks to be shared between snapshots. This selective copying approach maintains data integrity for restored portions while minimizing storage space consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by creating snapshots that capture only the necessary portion of data state at a given time, rather than duplicating entire volumes. The system uses incremental snapshot techniques where only changed data blocks are copied, performing just enough copying action to ensure restore capability while avoiding excessive storage space consumption.
3Reliability
If storage space is allocated for snapshot copies, then restore operations are enabled, but that space cannot be used for other storage needs
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses partial action by allocating storage space for snapshots on-demand rather than pre-allocating fixed space. Only the portions of data that actually change between snapshots consume additional storage space, while unchanged data is shared. This allows the storage system to maintain restore capability while preserving flexibility for other storage needs, as space is used efficiently and dynamically rather than being permanently reserved.
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary storage network architectures, data architectures, and methods for data restore operation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a storage device comprises a processor, a memory module communicatively connected to the processor, and logic instructions in the memory module which, when executed by the processor, configure the processor to receive a signal that identifies a source volume and a first target snapshot that represents a point in time copy of the source volume, update metadata to define an restore relationship between the first target snapshot and the source volume, execute a background copy process between the first target snapshot and the source volume, and manage input/output operations during the background copy process to permit input/output operations to the source volume during the background copy process.