Storage Management Policies in Virtual Data Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual data storage systems have limitations in scalability, flexibility, and management of data copies across different storage media, with limited ability to create and manage multiple copies of data objects based on time schedules and access patterns.
Innovation Solution
Implementing storage management policies that utilize storage pools and policy rules to manage data copies across multiple media types, allowing for timed creation, modification, and deletion of data copies based on creation, modification, or access events, with periodic compliance checks and error repair mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hard mappings of virtual volumes to physical locations are used, then storage management is simplified, but flexibility and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments storage management into multiple independent policy rules that can be applied to different data objects. Each policy rule can define different retention periods, storage locations, and copy strategies, allowing flexible management without hard mappings. This enables the system to adapt to different storage scenarios while maintaining ease of operation through policy-based automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic storage management where policy rules can be modified, added, or removed without reconfiguring the entire system. The system dynamically evaluates data objects against policy rules and automatically adjusts storage allocations, enabling both ease of operation and adaptability to changing requirements.
2Reliability
If multiple copies of data objects are created on different storage media, then data reliability and availability are improved, but storage complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying to create multiple copies of data objects on different storage media (disk, tape, cloud) according to policy rules. This ensures data reliability and availability while the automated policy enforcement keeps management complexity low by eliminating manual coordination of multiple copies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service automation where policy rules automatically determine when and where to create data copies. The automated policy evaluation and enforcement mechanisms manage the complexity of multiple copies without requiring manual intervention, maintaining both reliability and operational simplicity.
3Manufacturing precision
If time-based schedules are implemented for creating and deleting data copies, then data retention compliance is improved, but processing time and system overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing policy rules in advance that define retention periods and deletion schedules. When data objects are created or modified, the system pre-calculates when copies should be deleted based on these policies, enabling precise retention compliance without continuous processing overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic action by scheduling policy evaluations at specific intervals or events (creation, modification, access). This approach achieves precise retention compliance by evaluating policies only when necessary rather than continuously, reducing processing time and system overhead while maintaining accuracy.
4Productivity
If storage pools are used to manage groups of physical and logical volumes, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by creating storage pools that can contain both physical volumes (disk, tape) and logical volumes (virtual storage). These pools serve multiple functions: storing data objects, managing copies, enforcing policies, and providing flexible allocation. This multi-functionality improves resource utilization while the automated policy management keeps system complexity manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual data storage system stores data as data objects to a plurality of storage devices in accordance with storage management policies. The system manages multiple copies of stored data objects on multiple media types over time. Storage pools define groups of media that are to be treated in a uniform manner. A policy is composed of a series of policy copy/delete rules that direct movement of data objects into the storage pools. A rule defines a destination storage pool, a length of time that the data objects are to remain in the destination storage pool, and a data source for the data objects. Copy and delete actions are performed to manage copies of data objects among the storage pools in accordance with the policy.