Storage Mirror Conversion Without Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data mirroring solutions require discarding existing mirror relationships at destination storage systems, leading to increased network bandwidth usage and user disruption when converting between different mirroring techniques, resulting in inefficient data management and storage.
Innovation Solution
A method to convert existing mirror relationships between source and destination storage systems without discarding the existing copy, allowing for the creation of new mirror relationships without additional storage space or network traffic, by transferring directory structures and attributes, and creating mappings for future updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing mirror relationships are discarded when converting between mirroring techniques, then new mirror relationships can be created, but network bandwidth usage increases and user disruption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a mapping relationship that copies the logical structure (directory structures and attributes) from the old mirror relationship to the new mirror relationship, rather than copying actual data. This allows conversion between mirroring techniques while reusing existing data copies, avoiding additional network bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mapping relationship as an intermediary layer between the source storage system and destination storage system. This mapping allows the system to transition from one mirror relationship to another without directly transferring data, thereby avoiding network bandwidth usage and user disruption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing mirror relationships are discarded when converting between mirroring techniques, then new mirror relationships can be created, but user disruption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent copies only the metadata (directory structures and attributes) rather than actual data, allowing the mirror relationship conversion to occur transparently to users. The existing data copies remain intact and accessible, preventing user disruption while enabling technique conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by establishing the new mirror relationship and mapping structures before discarding the old one. This ensures that data accessibility is maintained throughout the conversion process, preventing user disruption.
3Reliability
If data is recopied over media to update destination storage system, then data consistency is maintained, but processing capabilities are taxed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential metadata (directory structures and attributes) from the data copying process, separating this from the actual data transfer. By updating only the mapping relationship rather than recopying entire datasets, the system maintains data consistency while dramatically reducing processing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter being copied from full data to minimal metadata (directory structures and attributes). This parameter change allows the system to maintain data consistency through mapping updates rather than full data recopying, significantly reducing processing capabilities required.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanism for converting an existing mirror relationship between an original dataset at a source storage system and a copy of the original dataset at a destination system to a new mirror without discarding the existing copy of the original dataset and without transferring data to create a new dataset to replace the copy of the original dataset at the destination storage system. Rather, a directory structure (including file attributes) of the source storage system is transferred to the destination storage system and a comparison is made to identify file attributes at the destination system that match the transferred file attributes. If a match is found, a mapping between the matched file attributes is created. Subsequent updates to the to destination storage system can be done using a technique other than the one that was used to create a copy of the source dataset.