Storage System Data Migration Between Extent Pools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for migrating data from large extent pools to small extent pools are expensive and inefficient, often requiring a host to copy data or implementing flash copy, which hinders performance improvements for applications accessing smaller extent pools.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that identifies data migration requests, creates a correspondence between logical volume extents and physical offset locations in the source storage pool, and transfers data to smaller extent pools without using a host or flash copy, utilizing small Volume Segment Tables (VSTs) to synchronize and update data locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If host-based copying or flash copy is used to migrate data from large extent pools to small extent pools, then data migration can be performed, but the process is expensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data migration function from the host system and implements it directly within the storage system using extent pool interop capabilities. This removes the host copying process entirely, enabling direct data transfer between extent pools without host involvement, thus significantly reducing migration time and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (extent pool interop layer) that enables direct communication and data transfer between different extent pools with different granularities. This intermediary handles the complexity of granularity conversion and data transfer, allowing efficient migration without host-based copying or expensive flash copy operations
2Productivity
If data is migrated to a small extent pool with smaller granularity, then application performance is improved, but the migration process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data migration process into manageable units by working with individual extents and their mappings. The system divides the large extent pool data into smaller units that can be systematically converted and transferred to the small extent pool, handling granularity conversion through structured segmentation of the data transfer process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal extent pool interop mechanism that can handle migrations between extent pools of different granularities through a single standardized interface. This multi-functional approach consolidates various migration scenarios into one unified process, reducing overall complexity despite the granular nature of the conversion
3Productivity
If host-based copying is used for data migration, then data can be transferred between extent pools, but resource usage and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the storage system to perform data migration autonomously without host involvement. The extent pool interop mechanism allows the storage system to self-manage the data transfer process between pools, eliminating the need for host-based copying operations and thereby reducing host resource usage and associated costs
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method according to one embodiment includes identifying a request to migrate data associated with a volume from a first storage pool to a second storage pool; identifying entries in a first table corresponding to rank extents in the first storage pool containing the data; allocating and synchronizing a plurality of second tables for the identified entries of the first table that are located in the volume; transferring the data associated with the volume from the rank extents in the first storage pool containing the data to one or more rank extents in the one or more ranks of the second storage pool; and updating the second tables to correspond to the transferred data in the one or more rank extents in the one or more ranks of the second storage pool.