Storage Virtualization Management System for Page Migration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In storage systems employing external storage connection and storage virtualization technologies, administrators face challenges in efficiently suspending inter-tier page migration and managing storage areas during maintenance or hardware failures, leading to increased administrative burdens due to the need to identify and re-allocate physical pages and logical volumes.
Innovation Solution
A management system that includes a control device and storage device, which stores logical and virtual volume management information to identify and manage page migrations affected by storage apparatus stoppages or blockages, allowing for the display of necessary information and re-allocation instructions to minimize downtime and administrative effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inter-tier page migration is suspended by executing a Stop Migration command, then the external storage apparatus can be stopped for maintenance, but the administrator must manually identify and re-allocate physical pages, increasing administrative burden
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of affected logical volumes and virtual segments before the administrator needs to take action. The management device automatically detects which logical volumes have pages in the external storage apparatus being stopped, and identifies the corresponding virtual segments, preparing the re-allocation information in advance so that when maintenance is needed, the administrator only needs to execute pre-prepared re-allocation commands rather than manually identifying and analyzing the affected components
Solution Approach 2:
A management device is introduced as an intermediary between the storage apparatus and the administrator. This management device automatically identifies affected logical volumes, determines the virtual segments using those logical volumes, and provides re-allocation information to the administrator. The intermediary handles the complex analysis and identification work, leaving only the final re-allocation execution to the administrator, thereby reducing the administrative burden
2Productivity
If physical pages are re-allocated from external storage apparatus to internal storage apparatus, then storage system continuity is maintained, but identification of affected logical volumes and virtual segments increases processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The management device implements feedback by monitoring the state of logical volumes and their association with external storage apparatus. When a Stop Migration command is issued or an external storage apparatus is stopped, the management device automatically feeds back information about which logical volumes are affected, which virtual segments use those logical volumes, and what re-allocation is needed. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for administrators to manually trace through the complex relationships between physical pages, logical volumes, and virtual segments, significantly reducing identification time
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains and updates management information in advance that maps the relationships between physical pages, logical volumes, and virtual segments. Before any re-allocation is needed, the management device has already identified and prepared the re-allocation information for affected components. This preliminary preparation ensures that when re-allocation is required, the system can quickly execute the pre-analyzed re-allocation plan without spending time on complex identification and analysis during the critical re-allocation window
Data Source
AI summary
A management system manages a computer system having multiple storage apparatuses, which provide a virtual volume to a host. The computer system includes a pool, and the storage apparatus allocates a physical page in the pool to a write destination when writing to the virtual volume. The management system stores logical volume management information for managing a corresponding relationship between a storage apparatus in which a logical volume resides and a physical page forming the logical volume, and virtual volume management information for managing the corresponding relationship between a virtual segment in a virtual volume and a page allocated to the virtual segment, and based on the logical volume management information and the virtual volume management information identifies a first page migration, which is affected in a case where either a determination-target storage apparatus is stopped or a first storage area is blocked, and displays the first page migration information.