Seamless Storage Migration via Host Multipath Path-Flip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data migration techniques often disrupt workload input/output operations and require manual reconfiguration, making them inefficient and prone to errors, especially in heterogeneous and clustered environments.
Innovation Solution
A storage manager conducts seamless heterogeneous data migration by leveraging host and storage array resources, including data transport and multipath resources, to monitor and control the migration process, allowing workload I/O to continue uninterrupted and supporting vendor-specific SCSI commands for seamless migration between different storage arrays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual reconfiguration is used for data migration, then migration can be completed, but workload I/O operations are disrupted and errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a storage manager as an intermediary component that automatically coordinates the data migration process between source and destination storage devices. The storage manager handles path management, data copying, and host notification without requiring manual intervention, thereby eliminating human errors and maintaining workload I/O continuity through automated seamlesS migration operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service migration by allowing the storage manager to automatically perform all migration tasks including initiating data copy operations, managing storage paths, and coordinating with hosts without external manual reconfiguration. This automation eliminates disruptions caused by manual operations while ensuring reliable migration completion
2Productivity
If seamless migration is implemented, then workload I/O continues uninterrupted, but system complexity increases due to automated path management
Solution Approach 1:
The storage manager is designed as a universal component that handles multiple functions including data copying, path management, host notification, and migration coordination. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional system, the patent manages complexity while achieving seamless migration that maintains workload I/O continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of data migration, path management, and host coordination into a unified automated process controlled by the storage manager. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and interfaces that would otherwise increase system complexity, while still enabling seamless migration operations
3Adaptability or versatility
If heterogeneous storage arrays are migrated, then storage flexibility is improved, but migration complexity increases due to different protocols and architectures
Solution Approach 1:
The storage manager acts as an intermediary that handles protocol translation and compatibility management between heterogeneous storage arrays. It automatically adapts to different storage protocols and architectures, enabling migration between diverse platforms without requiring complex manual configuration or protocol matching
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts migration parameters and methods based on the specific characteristics of source and destination storage arrays. The storage manager detects array types, protocols, and capabilities, then automatically modifies the migration approach to accommodate heterogeneous environments, reducing complexity through adaptive parameter adjustment
4Reliability
If exception handling is integrated, then migration reliability is improved, but processing time increases due to monitoring and recovery operations
Solution Approach 1:
The storage manager performs preliminary actions by proactively monitoring the migration process for potential failures and preparing recovery mechanisms in advance. It continuously checks data copy status, path availability, and host readiness, enabling quick recovery from exceptions without significant time loss during actual migration operations
Data Source
AI summary
A data management method and system for migrating a data volume from a source array to a destination array includes receiving an indication of a source volume to migrate from the source array to the destination array wherein the source volume comprises a clustered volume associated with a plurality of cluster hosts. A path-flip is performed by the host multipath module, to switch the paths between source and destination array. This switch is done in a seamless manner, without disrupting host I/O. The path-flip includes transferring associated metadata from source to destination and can be performed even in clustered and/or multi-host environments. Sanity timers are built-in to ensure that the path-flip completes within a stipulated time-frame and, if not, the path-flip process is aborted and I/O is resumed without any disruption.