Storage Device Data Migration via Transportable Mass Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data migration methods between data centers are inefficient due to bandwidth limitations and time-consuming processes, especially when transferring large amounts of data, and fail to maintain the original volume configuration of the source storage device at the destination.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a transportable external mass storage device that connects to both the source and destination storage devices via a data line, transmitting logical configuration information to restore the data and maintain the original volume configuration, allowing for efficient data migration while minimizing downtime and bandwidth impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If data is migrated using a dedicated line with bandwidth of 10 Gbps, then data transfer can be performed, but the migration time becomes one month or more
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transportable mass storage device as an intermediary medium between the source and destination data centers. Data is first transferred to the portable storage device at the source location, then the device is physically transported to the destination, and finally data is transferred from the portable device to the destination storage system. This mediator approach bypasses the need for slow long-distance data transmission over dedicated lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The migration process is divided into three distinct phases: (1) data transfer from source to portable storage device, (2) physical transport of the portable device, and (3) data transfer from portable device to destination. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently, with the physical transport phase being much faster than network-based data transfer for large datasets.
2Adaptability or versatility
If data migration is performed using existing mass storage devices, then data transfer between remote data centers is enabled, but the volume configuration of the source storage device cannot be restored at the destination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a complete copy of the source storage device's volume configuration information and transfers it to the destination storage device. This includes copying metadata, partition structures, and formatting information so that the destination device becomes an exact replica of the source device's logical structure, enabling seamless data restoration without reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage device is connected to a migration source storage device that stores migration target data via a data line. A transportable external mass storage device that stores the migration target data migrated from the migration source storage device is connected to the storage device. The storage device references logical configuration information received from the migration source storage device via the data line and restores and stores the migration target data stored in the external mass storage device.