Storage Virtualization for Seamless Data Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data migration methods between storage apparatuses require stopping data transmission and reception to replace standard alternate path programs, and fail to keep migration source volumes up-to-date, leading to data integrity issues and restoration challenges.
Innovation Solution
A computer system with a host computer and two storage apparatuses connected via a network, where the first storage apparatus controls copy processing and stores control information, and the second storage apparatus virtualizes migration source volumes, allowing data migration while maintaining data integrity and updating volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a standard alternate path program is used for volume migration, then the migration can be performed with existing software, but data transmission and reception must be stopped to replace the program
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a storage controller as an intermediary device that manages the migration process. The controller receives migration commands, virtualizes volumes, and coordinates data transfer between source and destination storage apparatuses without requiring host computer intervention or stopping data transmission. This mediator approach allows standard alternate path programs to function while maintaining continuous data service.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical approach of manually replacing alternate path programs on host computers with an automated storage-level migration system. The storage controller automatically handles volume virtualization, path registration, and data migration coordination, eliminating the need for host-side program replacement and continuous data transmission interruption.
2Reliability
If special control is performed to migrate input/output request receivers, then data integrity is maintained during migration, but the migration process becomes complex and requires custom alternate path programs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex migration control logic from the host computer and network devices and concentrates it in the storage controller. The controller handles all special control functions including volume virtualization, path management, and data integrity maintenance independently, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining data integrity during migration.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage controller is designed as a universal device that performs multiple functions: it manages local copy processing, virtualizes volumes, registers alternate paths, coordinates data migration, and maintains data integrity. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems or custom software components.
3Productivity
If migration source volumes are not kept up-to-date during migration, then migration processing can be simplified, but data restoration becomes difficult if failure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by continuously maintaining synchronization between migration source and destination volumes throughout the migration process. The storage controller ensures that data written to source volumes is immediately reflected in virtualized destination volumes, so that if failure occurs, the destination already contains up-to-date data for restoration purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the storage controller continuously monitors migration status and data consistency between source and destination. This feedback loop ensures that destination volumes remain synchronized with source volumes, providing automatic data freshness without requiring manual intervention or slowing down the migration process.
4Adaptability or versatility
If volumes are migrated without depending on host computer configuration, then migration portability is improved, but path registration and alternate path management become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The storage controller serves as an intermediary that abstracts path management complexity from the host computer. It automatically registers alternate paths to virtualized volumes and manages path routing without requiring host-side configuration changes. This allows volumes to be migrated across different host configurations while the controller handles the path registration details centrally.
Data Source
AI summary
A path is formed between a host computer and storage apparatuses without depending on the configuration of the host computer and a network and a plurality of volumes having a copy function are migrated between storage apparatuses while keeping the latest data.A computer system includes a host computer and first and second storage apparatuses, wherein the second storage apparatus virtualizes a plurality of migration source volumes as a plurality of migration destination volumes and provides them to the host computer; and if the second storage apparatus receives an input/output request for each migration destination volume, it reflects data in each migration source volume via each migration destination volume and the host computer cancels a path to each migration source volume and registers a path to each migration destination volume; and if the second storage apparatus receives a write request, it writes write data to each migration destination volume and each migration source volume and migrates copy processing control information and data until the termination of migration processing.