Multi-Platform Storage Gateway for Cross-Protocol Data Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data mobility solutions are limited in their ability to efficiently move data across disparate platforms, especially when dealing with thin clones and snapshots, and require storage products of the same type, making it difficult to replicate data to multiple locations.
Innovation Solution
A multi-platform data storage system that includes a storage interface for accessing various storage platforms with different protocols, a storage mobility and management layer for virtual management of storage resources, and a transfer module for moving data objects between systems, enabling data mobility independent of compute and storage platform types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional data mobility solutions are used, then data can be moved between storage systems, but the solutions are limited to storage products of the same type and cannot efficiently handle thin clones and snapshots across disparate platforms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway as an intermediary component that mediates between storage systems of different types and protocols. The gateway translates and facilitates data transfer between disparate storage platforms, enabling thin clones and snapshots to be moved across different storage product types while maintaining transfer efficiency. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by providing platform compatibility without sacrificing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway is designed with multi-functional capabilities to handle various storage protocols, data formats, and transfer operations. It can manage thin clones, snapshots, and regular data transfers across different storage platforms simultaneously. This universal design enables the system to adapt to multiple platform types while maintaining efficient data mobility operations.
2Reliability
If storage products of the same type are used for data replication, then data mobility is supported, but it becomes difficult to replicate data to multiple different locations across disparate platforms
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves as a central intermediary that coordinates data replication to multiple different storage locations across disparate platforms. It manages the replication process by translating between different storage protocols and formats, ensuring reliable data replication while providing flexibility to replicate to multiple different types of storage systems simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the replication function into separate components: the source storage system, the gateway with its translation capabilities, and multiple destination storage systems. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function while the gateway handles the complexity of multi-platform compatibility, enabling reliable replication across diverse locations.
3Ease of operation
If conventional storage interfaces are used, then access to storage platforms is provided, but efficient data transfer across platforms with different protocols is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway acts as an intelligent intermediary that simplifies storage access for users while optimizing data transfer speeds across platforms with different protocols. It handles protocol translation and optimization internally, presenting a simple interface to users while maintaining high transfer speeds through efficient data path management and protocol optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts transfer parameters such as data block size, protocol selection, and compression levels based on the specific source and destination platforms. This parameter optimization enables efficient data transfer across different platforms while maintaining ease of operation, as the gateway automatically selects optimal settings without user intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-platform data storage system that facilitates sharing of containers including one or more virtual storage resources. The multi-platform data storage system can, for example, include a storage interface configured to enable access to a plurality of storage platforms that use different storage access and/or management protocols, the plurality of storage platforms storing data objects in physical data storage; and a storage mobility and management layer providing virtual management of virtual storage resources corresponding to one or more data objects stored in the plurality of storage platforms, the storage mobility and management layer including at least a transfer module coupled to at least one network and configured to transfer at least one of the data objects. The transfer module can transfer the at least one of the data objects between the multi-platform data storage system and another data storage system.