Storage Virtualization System Host Workload Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage management architectures lack independent high availability, load balancing, and tiered storage capabilities that are not dependent on host systems, making them inefficient for managing diverse storage systems such as disk and tape libraries.
Innovation Solution
A storage virtualization system (SVS) that intercepts host system commands, manages copy and migration policies through mapping tables, and dynamically routes data access to the least utilized storage systems, thereby providing high availability, load balancing, and tiered storage functions independently of host systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If storage management is performed directly by host systems, then host systems have direct control over storage operations, but host system workload and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts storage management functions from host systems and consolidates them into a dedicated storage virtualization system. The SVS independently handles copy policies, migration rules, and storage operations, removing the burden from host systems while maintaining centralized control over storage resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage virtualization system acts as an intermediary layer between host systems and physical storage devices. It receives storage commands from hosts, applies management policies, and executes operations on storage devices, thereby simplifying host system operations while providing sophisticated storage management capabilities.
2Reliability
If storage systems are managed independently without virtualization, then system architecture is simpler, but high availability and load balancing capabilities are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated copying of storage data between different storage devices based on predefined copy policies. This creates redundant copies for high availability while the virtualization system manages the complexity of copy operations, migration, and data synchronization independently of host systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage virtualization system provides multiple functions including copy management, migration, load balancing, and high availability within a single unified architecture. This multi-functional approach enables sophisticated storage management capabilities without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
3Productivity
If data copying and migration are performed manually, then administrative control is precise, but administrative overhead and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The storage virtualization system implements self-service automation where copy and migration operations are automatically triggered and executed based on predefined policies. The system monitors storage conditions, determines when copying or migration is needed, and performs these operations autonomously without requiring administrative intervention, thereby improving productivity while reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
Administrators pre-configure copy policies and migration rules in advance, defining conditions and parameters for automated operations. The system then executes these pre-planned actions automatically when conditions are met, eliminating the need for manual decision-making and execution during operations, thus improving efficiency and reducing administrative time.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments are provided for virtualizing and managing a storage virtualization system (SVS) in a storage management architecture. Source data is copied from the source storage media to target data in a target storage media based on a predefined copy policy in a copy mapping table. A relation between the source data and the target data is tracked in a copy mapping table. It is determined if a copy of the requested data exists using the copy mapping table. Tiered storage policies are configured in a migration mapping table pertaining to the SVS, and a source storage media is mapped to a target storage media and a migration policy.