Storage Virtualization for Seamless Data Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data migration methods either rely on exclusive paths that may not function with all operating systems or require special functions of storage apparatuses, leading to issues with data integrity and the inability to migrate data without stopping transmission or using special functions of existing devices.
Innovation Solution
A computer system and method that virtualizes logical units from one storage apparatus and provides them to a host computer as alternate paths, allowing data to be copied to another storage apparatus without using special functions or stopping data transmission, by collecting configuration information and managing paths to ensure data integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an alternate path program is used to migrate data between storage apparatuses, then data can be migrated without stopping data transmission, but the method may not function with all operating systems and cannot ensure exclusive path usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a path management table as an intermediary data structure that mediates between the host computer and storage apparatuses. This table stores path information and enables the system to track and manage multiple paths without relying on operating system-specific alternate path programs, thus achieving cross-platform compatibility while maintaining continuous data transmission during migration
2Reliability
If remote copying function is used to maintain data integrity during migration, then data integrity can be ensured, but special functions of the existing storage apparatus must be used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data integrity assurance mechanism from the storage apparatus's special remote copying function and relocates it to the host computer's path management software. By storing path information in a path management table and controlling path selection at the host level, the system maintains data integrity during migration without requiring special functions in the storage apparatus
3Adaptability or versatility
If paths are not managed exclusively during data migration, then operating system compatibility is improved, but data integrity cannot be ensured due to parallel access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism through the path management table that continuously tracks the state of data migration and path usage. The system provides feedback by monitoring which paths are active and adjusting path selection accordingly, ensuring that only one path is used for each storage apparatus at any given time, thus preventing parallel access while maintaining operating system compatibility
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system and data migration method capable of replacing a storage apparatus with another storage apparatus and avoiding stopping data transmission or reception between a host computer and the storage apparatuses without depending on the configuration of existing storage apparatuses and other devices is suggested.With a computer system having a host computer and first and second storage apparatuses, the second storage apparatus virtualizes first logical units in the first storage apparatus and provides them as second logical units to the host computer, collects configuration information about each first logical unit, and sets each piece of the collected configuration information to each corresponding second logical unit; and the host computer adds a path to the second logical units and deletes a path to the first logical units; and the second storage apparatus copies data stored in the first logical units to a storage area provided by the second storage device and associates the storage area with the second logical units.