Virtual Devices for iSCSI Data Protection Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage server configurations struggle to efficiently manage diverse data types and storage units, particularly in iSCSI networks, where data protection and transfer optimizations are needed to maximize utility and performance.
Innovation Solution
The system and method involve creating virtual devices within a data storage server, logically separating SCSI logical units into groups with different data protection standards and enabling/disabling iSCSI immediate data based on these configurations, allowing for separate login negotiations and data transfer phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data storage server uses a single configuration for all logical units, then device complexity is reduced, but data protection reliability and transfer optimization are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data storage server into multiple virtual targets, where each virtual target can have independent data protection configurations. This allows different logical units to be grouped into separate virtual targets with appropriate protection levels (e.g., Type 2 protection for some targets, no protection for others), resolving the contradiction by enabling differentiated configurations without requiring a completely complex unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing each virtual target to have its own specific data protection attributes and transfer optimizations tailored to the characteristics of the logical units it contains. This enables high-reliability configurations for critical data while using simpler configurations for less critical data, achieving overall system reliability without uniform complexity across all components.
2Speed
If iSCSI immediate data is enabled for all targets, then data transfer speed is improved, but data protection integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments iSCSI target configurations into multiple virtual targets with differentiated immediate data settings. Critical virtual targets can disable immediate data to ensure data protection integrity, while non-critical targets can enable it for faster transfers. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing speed optimization in appropriate contexts without compromising overall data protection integrity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If data storage server supports multiple data protection standards, then adaptability to different data types is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing virtual targets as multi-functional units that can support multiple data protection standards (T-10 Type 0, Type 1, Type 2, Type 3) within a single unified framework. This allows the system to adapt to different data types and protection requirements without requiring separate specialized systems for each standard, achieving versatility while managing complexity through a common virtual target architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A first virtual device is created including every logically addressable unit of a data storage server that utilizes data protection. A second virtual device is created including no logically addressable unit of the data storage server that utilizes data protection. Data transfers are disabled within all command phases of the first virtual device.