Virtualized File System Migration with External Link Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage systems face challenges in seamlessly migrating user data from legacy file servers to new ones while maintaining uninterrupted access for clients, especially when upgrading to improve performance or accommodate larger file systems and more efficient storage technologies.
Innovation Solution
A data storage system architecture that interconnects a new file system managing unit between client computers and a legacy file system managing unit, enabling virtualization and incremental migration of user data through external link objects, allowing indirect client access and queuing of access requests during migration to minimize disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If user data is migrated from legacy file server to new file server, then migration efficiency is improved, but client access continuity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments user data into multiple data blocks that can be migrated independently. Each data block is identified by a unique identifier, allowing the system to migrate specific blocks without interrupting access to other blocks. This segmentation enables parallel migration operations while maintaining client access to non-migrated portions of the file system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a file system managing unit that acts as an intermediary between clients and the migrated data blocks. This unit receives access requests from clients, determines whether the requested data blocks have been migrated, and routes requests appropriately - either to the new file server for migrated blocks or to the legacy file server for non-migrated blocks. This intermediary mechanism ensures seamless client access during the migration process.
2Reliability
If data migration is performed without interruption, then client access continuity is maintained, but migration speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous migration operations by implementing a mechanism where the file system managing unit simultaneously handles client access requests and data migration tasks. The system continuously monitors migration status and dynamically routes client requests without stopping migration operations, ensuring both client access continuity and sustained migration speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary identification and organization of data blocks before migration begins. The system pre-processes file system data to identify migratable blocks and their locations, allowing migration to proceed efficiently without interrupting client access. This preliminary preparation enables the system to maintain high migration speeds while ensuring continuous client service.
3Loss of time
If all data blocks are migrated simultaneously, then migration completion time is reduced, but system stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the file system data into multiple independent data blocks that can be migrated in parallel. Each data block is identified by a unique identifier and can be migrated independently of other blocks. This segmentation allows the system to migrate multiple blocks simultaneously without overwhelming system resources, maintaining stability while reducing overall migration time through parallel processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a mechanism where not all data blocks need to be fully migrated before client access begins. The system allows clients to access non-migrated data blocks through the legacy file server while migrated blocks are accessed through the new file server. This partial migration approach reduces the critical path of the migration process, enabling faster completion while maintaining system stability through gradual transition.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for data migration of a first file system in a data storage system comprising a plurality of client computers 100, a first file system managing unit 310 for managing the first file system and being connected to the plurality of client computers 100, and a second file system managing unit 410 for managing a second file system and being connected to the first file system managing unit 310, the second file system comprising a plurality of data files and the first file system comprising a plurality of external link objects, each external link object of the first file system being associated with a respective data file of the second file system for enabling client access to the respective data file of the second file system.