Storage Node Data Protection Level Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Software Defined Storage (SDS) systems cannot convert data protection levels across multiple storage nodes, limiting flexibility and efficiency in managing data protection configurations.

Innovation Solution

A storage system with a selection unit that identifies required storage nodes for data protection level conversion based on conversion information, allowing these nodes to manage data at the new protection level, enabling data protection level conversion across multiple storage nodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If volume migration is performed within a single storage node, then data protection level conversion is achieved within that node, but data protection level cannot be converted across multiple storage nodes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata protection level conversion capabilityVSAvoidscope of conversion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data protection level conversion process into node-specific operations. Each storage node independently performs volume migration within its own pools, allowing the overall system to achieve multi-node conversion capability through coordinated independent actions of individual nodes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The storage node is designed with universal functionality to handle both data storage and data protection level conversion operations. The same storage node that stores data also performs the conversion operations, eliminating the need for separate conversion infrastructure and enabling consistent conversion capability across all nodes in the system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If data protection level is expanded or changed across storage nodes, then system flexibility improves, but complexity of managing multiple pools with different protection levels increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem flexibilityVSAvoidpool management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different storage pools within the same storage node to have different data protection levels. This enables the system to optimize each pool independently according to its specific requirements while maintaining overall system flexibility, without forcing a uniform protection level across all pools

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing multiple pools with different data protection levels within each storage node before conversion is needed. This preliminary preparation of diverse pool configurations enables rapid and flexible data protection level conversion when system requirements change, avoiding the need to create pools on-demand during conversion operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10983720B2System for converting data protection levels of storage nodes

Publication Date: 2021.04.20 HITACHI VANTARA LTD

AI summary

A storage system is configured to include a plurality of storage nodes, and includes a selection unit which selects a storage node required for setting a data protection level after conversion from among the plurality of storage nodes on the basis of information related to the conversion of the data protection level. The storage node selected by the selection unit manages data using the data protection level after conversion.