Storage Management Apparatus Differential Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large-scale storage systems, synchronization of apparatus information between storage management apparatuses and controllers becomes inefficient due to massive data transmissions, leading to processing delays, network congestion, and communication errors, especially as storage apparatus scales increase.
Innovation Solution
A storage management apparatus that includes a memory and processor to store configuration information and update status, comparing update information from a storage controller and sending differential data for synchronization, reducing the amount of data transmitted and processing loads by using a counter-based system to identify and transmit only updated information elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all apparatus information is transmitted between storage management apparatus and storage controller for synchronization, then complete information synchronization is achieved, but network congestion and processing delays occur in large-scale storage systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments apparatus information into multiple types (configuration information, status information, performance information) and uses different synchronization approaches for each type. Critical information is synchronized frequently while less critical information is synchronized less frequently, reducing overall data transmission volume while maintaining synchronization completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and transmits only the differential portions of apparatus information that have changed since the last synchronization, rather than transmitting all information. This is achieved by comparing version identifiers or timestamps to identify what needs to be updated, significantly reducing network traffic while ensuring complete synchronization of changed data.
2Productivity
If counters are used to track apparatus information updates, then synchronization efficiency is improved, but the amount of data to be compared and processed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using counters to track only specific types of apparatus information updates rather than all information. Different counter sets are maintained for different information types, allowing the system to efficiently identify and synchronize only the necessary portions of data without processing excessive information.
3Reliability
If past apparatus information is saved in storage management apparatus for comparison, then differential extraction is enabled, but disk resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and retains only the essential elements needed for differential comparison, such as version identifiers, timestamps, or summary metadata, rather than storing complete historical apparatus information. This allows the system to accurately determine what has changed without consuming excessive disk resources for storing full past data sets.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage management apparatus includes a memory configured to store configuration information regarding a configuration of a storage apparatus, first update information indicating an update status of the configuration information, and second update information pieces, the configuration information including information elements, the second update information pieces indicating respective update statuses of the information elements, and a processor configured to: obtain first update information from a storage controller that controls the storage apparatus; compare the obtained first update information with the first update information in the memory; send, to the storage controller, the second update information pieces in the memory, when both of the update information do not match; receive, from the storage controller, one or more information elements extracted in the storage controller based on the second update information pieces that are sent; and update the configuration information in the memory based on the received information elements.