Storage Track Replication via Cache Staging and Destaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current storage replication techniques, such as IBM FlashCopy, face challenges in efficiently managing the replication of tracks across multiple storage systems, particularly in ensuring data consistency and optimizing data transfer operations.
Innovation Solution
A computer program product and method that utilizes a point-in-time copy relationship to replicate tracks from a first storage to a second storage, with a mirror copy relationship then transferring these tracks to a third storage, involving staging and destaging operations to optimize data transfer and reduce redundant processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If tracks are replicated from first storage to second and third storages using traditional techniques, then data redundancy is achieved, but data transfer efficiency deteriorates due to redundant staging operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the replication operations to the second and third storages into a single unified process. The first storage system stages tracks once to its cache, then the second storage system mirrors these tracks to the third storage system. This eliminates the need for separate staging operations for each target storage, thereby improving data transfer efficiency and reducing redundant staging time.
Solution Approach 2:
The first storage system's cache acts as an intermediary in the replication process. Tracks are staged once in this intermediary cache, then efficiently distributed to both the second and third storage systems. This intermediary approach optimizes the data transfer path and avoids multiple redundant staging operations.
2Reliability
If multiple independent replication operations are performed, then data consistency is maintained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent replication operations into a single coordinated process. The first storage system initiates one staging operation to its cache, and the second storage system automatically mirrors to the third storage system. This unified approach maintains data consistency across all three storage systems while significantly reducing the complexity of managing separate replication operations.
3Reliability
If tracks are staged separately for each target storage, then data integrity is ensured, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the staging operations so that tracks are staged once in the first storage system's cache, then mirrored to the second and third storage systems. This single staging operation maintains data integrity for all target storages simultaneously while dramatically reducing the processing overhead associated with multiple independent staging operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for replicating tracks from a first storage to a second and third storages. A determination is made of a track in the first storage to transfer to the second storage as part of a point-in-time copy relationship and of a stride of tracks including the target track. The stride of tracks including the target track is staged from the first storage to a cache according to the point-in-time copy relationship. The staged stride is destaged from the cache to the second storage. The stride in the cache is transferred to the third storage as part of a mirror copy relationship. The stride of tracks in the cache is demoted in response to destaging the stride of the tracks in the cache to the second storage and transferring the stride of tracks in the cache to the third storage.