Storage Apparatus Automatic Failover Bitmap Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing storage systems, when a failover occurs, the administrator needs to manually set up local copy pairs, leading to inefficiencies in data backup management and potential data loss due to incomplete synchronization of data updates during a failover.
Innovation Solution
The storage apparatus is designed to automatically register local copy pairs and synchronize copy bitmaps and tracking bitmaps between storage units, allowing for seamless data synchronization and backup without administrator intervention during a failover, ensuring data integrity and reducing backup time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual settings are made by administrator to execute backup after failover, then data backup can be performed, but it takes time and reduces system response speed
Solution Approach 1:
The standby storage apparatus pre-loads backup destination information and maintains copy bitmap data in advance. When failover occurs, the processor automatically executes backup using the pre-loaded information without requiring administrator intervention or manual settings, thereby reducing backup time while ensuring reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The storage system performs self-service by automatically detecting failover conditions and executing backup operations autonomously. The standby storage apparatus monitors the active storage apparatus and automatically initiates backup when failover is detected, eliminating the need for administrator intervention and reducing response time
2Reliability
If data synchronization is performed manually after failover, then data consistency can be maintained, but system efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes synchronization relationships between storage areas and maintains copy bitmap data that tracks data changes. When failover occurs, the processor automatically uses this pre-established information to synchronize data between the standby and active storage apparatuses, maintaining consistency without manual intervention and improving system efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The standby storage apparatus continuously monitors the active storage apparatus for data changes and automatically updates copy bitmap data. This feedback mechanism ensures that when failover occurs, the synchronization process has up-to-date information about data changes, allowing efficient and reliable data consistency maintenance
3Speed
If automatic copy process is executed during failover, then data synchronization speed increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The standby storage apparatus pre-loads backup destination information and maintains copy bitmap data structures in advance. When failover occurs, the processor automatically executes synchronization using this pre-loaded information, achieving fast synchronization speed. The complexity is managed by pre-organizing data structures rather than implementing complex real-time decision logic
Data Source
AI summary
While in active state, a first storage apparatus including first and second storage areas copies data stored in the first storage area to the second storage area, copies data stored in the first storage area to a third storage area so that data is synchronized between the first and third storage areas, and copies data stored in the second storage area to a fourth storage area so that data is synchronized between the second and fourth storage areas. When a second storage apparatus including the third and fourth storage areas has transitioned from standby to active state and thereby gets to receive access to the third storage area, instead of to the first storage area, from an external information processing apparatus, the second storage apparatus copies data stored in the third storage area to the fourth storage area, based on setting information stored in a storage unit.