Virtual Removable Volume Data Sharing via Sequential Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Concurrent access to virtual volumes in storage area networks (SANs) leads to data corruption, and existing solutions require complex and expensive shared file systems or cumbersome physical transfer of removable media for data sharing between non-simultaneous clients.

Innovation Solution

A controlling application presents a virtual volume as a virtual removable volume, allowing only one client to access it at a time, using either a distributed or centralized application to manage access through IOCTL or SCSI commands, thereby preventing data corruption and eliminating the need for a shared file system or physical media transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a shared file system is used to allow multiple clients to access virtual volumes concurrently, then data sharing capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata sharing capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the virtual volume access into discrete time intervals, allowing only one client to access the volume during each interval. This temporal segmentation eliminates the need for complex shared file systems while enabling multiple clients to share access sequentially, resolving the contradiction between data sharing capability and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic access control where the controlling application can switch between different clients accessing the same virtual volume at different times. The system dynamically assigns access rights based on client requests and unmounts the volume from one client to mount it for another, providing flexible data sharing without requiring permanent shared file system infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If physical transfer of removable media is used to share data between clients, then data sharing is achieved, but operational convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata sharing capabilityVSAvoidoperational convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the removable media interface through software control. Instead of physically transferring media between clients, the controlling application presents the same virtual volume to multiple clients sequentially, maintaining the appearance of removable media operation while eliminating physical transfer requirements and improving operational convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical physical media transfer process with a software-based virtual volume mounting and unmounting mechanism. The controlling application uses SCSI commands to simulate the physical insertion and removal of media, allowing data sharing without any physical handling of removable media, thereby significantly improving operational convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If concurrent access is allowed to virtual volumes, then productivity is improved, but data corruption occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess efficiencyVSAvoiddata integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments concurrent access requests into sequential time intervals, ensuring that only one client can write to or modify the virtual volume at any given moment. This temporal segmentation maintains data integrity by preventing simultaneous write conflicts while still allowing multiple clients to access the volume during different intervals, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and data reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The controlling application implements feedback mechanisms to track which client currently has access to the virtual volume and manages mounting/unmounting operations accordingly. When a client finishes accessing the volume, the system receives feedback and automatically unmounts it, allowing the next client to mount it. This feedback-based control ensures data integrity while maintaining efficient sequential access for multiple clients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8782163B2Utilizing removable virtual volumes for sharing data on storage area network

Publication Date: 2014.07.15 NETAPP INC

AI summary

The present disclosure provides data sharing through virtual removable volumes. A virtual volume of a SAN (storage area network) is presented to clients as a virtual removable volume. A controlling application controls access of clients connected to the SAN to the virtual removable volume. The controlling application allows only one client at a time to access the virtual removable volume. The controlling application allows a first client to mount the virtual removable volume as a removable volume. The controlling application then causes the first client to unmount the virtual removable volume and allows a second client to mount the virtual removable volume as a removable volume. In this way, the first client and second client are able to share data via the virtual removable volume without causing corruption of data and without requiring a shared file system or physical transfer of removable media.