Storage Program Metadata Swapping for Seamless Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage system methods require surplus unused storage capacity for program exchanges, which can impact IO performance and prolong the exchange process, especially when multiple programs are updated simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A storage system with active and standby storage programs that generate new-version metadata based on old-version metadata, allowing seamless program updates without interrupting IO operations by swapping states and using redundant metadata configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If volume movement is performed to exchange storage programs, then storage program exchange is enabled, but surplus unused storage capacity is required and IO performance may be degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides storage programs into active and standby states, allowing independent management and exchange of each segment without requiring complete volume movement. This segmentation enables program exchange without needing surplus storage capacity for entire volume migration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates metadata copies in standby state that can be activated without physical volume movement. Instead of moving actual storage volumes, the system uses metadata copying and state switching to achieve program exchange, eliminating the need for surplus unused storage capacity.
2Reliability
If communication band is limited for volume movement, then IO performance degradation is prevented, but volume movement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs metadata copying instead of physical volume movement, which is a much lighter operation that does not require bandwidth limitation. This copying approach maintains IO performance while significantly reducing the time required for program exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical volume movement process with a software-based metadata state switching mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for bandwidth-intensive data transfer while achieving the same program exchange objective.
3Productivity
If multiple storage programs are exchanged simultaneously, then exchange efficiency is improved, but required unused storage capacity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system manages multiple storage programs as independent active-standby segments that can be exchanged simultaneously without requiring aggregated surplus capacity. Each program pair can be exchanged independently through metadata switching, enabling parallel exchanges without increasing total storage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the exchange operations of multiple programs into a coordinated metadata switching process rather than separate volume movements. This consolidation allows simultaneous exchanges while utilizing the same storage capacity resources, eliminating the need for increased unused capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is to efficiently exchange storage programs. A storage program in an active state and a storage program in a standby state in a storage program group each change metadata thereof when the storage program in the active state writes data. When update of the storage programs including arranging post-update storage programs in storage nodes and generating new-version metadata based on old-version metadata by the post-update storage programs is to be performed, the post-update storage program in the standby state generates the new-version metadata based on the old-version metadata is performed for the storage programs in the plurality of storage nodes while replacing the active state and the standby state of the storage programs with each other in the plurality of storage programs in the storage program group.