Storage Device Data Migration Path Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data migration techniques fail to properly transfer I/O state information, which is crucial for system operation, especially in computer cluster configurations, leading to potential disruptions during data migration between storage devices.
Innovation Solution
A system that migrates data by creating new paths to a new storage device, freezing old paths, transferring metadata including state information from the old to the new device, and thawing new paths, while also creating new volumes and dismantling old paths, using executable software that exports and imports metadata in a platform-independent format to ensure seamless data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is migrated from old storage device to new storage device using existing techniques, then data transfer is achieved, but I/O state information is not properly transferred causing system operation disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by freezing the old storage device paths before data migration begins. This prevents I/O operations during the critical migration window, ensuring that I/O state information remains consistent and can be properly captured and transferred to the new storage device without corruption or loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that captures I/O state information from the old storage device and transfers it to the new storage device along with the data. This intermediary process ensures that metadata, caching states, and other I/O-related information are preserved and restored on the new device, maintaining system reliability.
2Loss of information
If paths are frozen during data migration to maintain state information, then I/O state information is preserved, but application operation is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by creating new paths to the new storage device before freezing the old paths. Applications can continue to operate on the new paths while the old paths are frozen for migration, ensuring application continuity without loss of I/O state information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by allowing I/O operations to continue on new paths to the new storage device while the old paths are frozen. This enables data migration without disrupting application operations, as the system seamlessly redirects I/O requests to the new storage device.
3Ease of operation
If new paths are created to new storage device before migration, then seamless switching is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by automatically managing the creation, freezing, and thawing of paths during the migration process. The migration software handles path management tasks without requiring manual intervention, reducing the perceived complexity for users while enabling seamless switching between storage devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Migrating data from an old storage device to a new storage device includes creating new paths to the new storage device, freezing old paths to the old storage device, transferring metadata corresponding to the old storage device to the new storage device, where state information is transferred from the old storage device to the new storage device, and thawing the new paths. Migrating data from an old storage device to a new storage device may also include creating new volumes on the new storage device and transferring data from the old storage device to the new storage device. Migrating data from an old storage device to a new storage device may also include dismantling the old paths.