Storage System Backup Load Distribution via Intermediate Journal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage systems face performance declines due to increased load on remote site storage apparatuses during asynchronous remote copying and backup creation, leading to slowed data transfer speeds between local and remote sites.
Innovation Solution
A storage system architecture that includes primary, intermediate, and secondary storage control apparatuses, where the copying process is divided into stages, with the primary storage apparatus generating journal data and management information, the intermediate apparatus forming copy pairs, and the secondary apparatus creating backups, thereby distributing the load across multiple systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If asynchronous remote copying is executed between local and remote storage apparatuses to create backup, then data protection capability is improved, but the process load of the remote storage apparatus increases causing performance decline
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the backup process into two distinct phases: a data transfer phase where the local storage apparatus transfers data to the remote storage apparatus, and a journal data acquisition phase where the remote storage apparatus acquires journal data from the local storage apparatus. This segmentation allows the local storage apparatus to focus on data transfer without the additional burden of journal data acquisition, thereby reducing its process load and improving performance while maintaining data protection capability.
2Ease of operation
If copy pair is split at designated time point and secondary data volume is provided to host computer for business process, then data usability is improved, but load on remote storage apparatus increases further when copying process and business process are performed simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the operations at the remote storage apparatus by separating the journal data acquisition function from the data copying and business process functions. The journal data is acquired from the local storage apparatus and stored separately, allowing the secondary data volume to be provided to the host computer for business processes without the remote storage apparatus simultaneously managing the copying process, thereby reducing its load while maintaining data usability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where journal data is acquired and managed as a separate entity from the main data copying process. The journal data serves as an intermediary record that enables the remote storage apparatus to track changes without having to actively manage the primary data transfer and business operations simultaneously, reducing its operational load.
Data Source
AI summary
According to the present invention, a process that requires for creating a backup at a designated time point is executed by sharing among a plurality of storage control apparatuses. An intermediate storage apparatus 2 reads journal data and a JNCB from a primary storage apparatus 1, and stores the journal data and the JNCB in an intermediate journal volume 28. A secondary storage apparatus 3 reads the journal data and the JNCB from the intermediate storage apparatus 2, and stores the journal data and the JNCB in a secondary journal volume 38. After the secondary storage apparatus 3 having a designated generation restores the journal data up to a designated time point into a secondary data volume 37, the secondary storage apparatus 3 splits a copy pair. Another secondary storage apparatus 3 executes a regular restoring process.