Storage Virtualization Reconciling Multi-Protocol Scan Results
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Solution Overview
Problem
Storage virtualization systems face challenges in managing data objects across NAS systems using different network file system protocols, such as NFS and CIFS, due to protocol incompatibilities, which can lead to data loss or corruption and hinder efficient data management during transfer and synchronization.
Innovation Solution
A multi-protocol scanning method that builds a mapping index of data objects, reconciling inconsistencies between NFS and CIFS protocols by performing simultaneous or sequential scans, using heuristics to match and combine scan results, and employing techniques like name normalization and attribute matching to ensure data object accessibility regardless of protocol.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a storage virtualization system uses protocol-specific operations (NFS for NFS, CIFS for CIFS) to transfer data objects, then protocol compatibility is maintained, but the system cannot efficiently manage data objects across mixed-protocol NAS systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mapping index as an intermediary layer between the storage virtualization system and NAS systems. This mapping index translates between different protocols (NFS, CIFS, SMB) by storing normalized data object information that can be accessed through any protocol without requiring protocol-specific operations for each data object
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter representation of data objects by normalizing protocol-specific attributes into a universal format in the mapping index. This allows the same data object to be accessed through different protocols with different parameter conventions without loss of information or compatibility
2Measurement precision
If a storage virtualization system performs separate scans for each protocol (NFS scan and CIFS scan) on mixed-protocol NAS systems, then complete data object discovery is achieved, but scan time and system resources are doubled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple protocol scans into a single unified scan operation. The storage virtualization system performs one scan that discovers data objects regardless of their protocol type, then uses the mapping index to track which protocol each data object uses, eliminating the need for separate protocol-specific scans
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary normalization of scan results during the single scan operation. By pre-processing the scan data to identify and categorize data objects by protocol type, the mapping index is built in advance, avoiding the need for subsequent protocol-specific verification scans
3Reliability
If data objects are stored separately in NFS and CIFS protocols on a mixed-protocol NAS system, then protocol integrity is maintained, but data object accessibility across protocols is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mapping index serves multiple functions simultaneously: it stores normalized data object information, tracks protocol-specific attributes, enables cross-protocol access, and maintains protocol integrity. This universal data structure allows the same data object to be accessed through any protocol while preserving the original protocol's data format and semantics
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a system and method for reconciling results returned from a multi-protocol scan of a NAS system. Certain NAS systems use different protocols. Some may use the NFS protocol, whereas others may use the CIFS protocol. A scan of the NAS may therefore produce two data object names for a single data object. When a storage virtualization system is tasked with acting as an intermediary between the client and the NAS, these two data object names will cause errors during data migration, synchronization or redirection. The present invention is a method for using the results of a multi-protocol scan of the NAS in order to reconcile data object names that may present differently depending on the protocol applied.