Virtual Storage Driver for Near-Zero Downtime Data Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional server data migration and restoration processes require significant downtime, overloading network resources, and are inefficient, especially when transferring large amounts of data, which can lead to substantial losses in mission-critical applications due to prolonged server inoperability.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a method of creating a virtual storage driver that redirects access requests, copies data blocks from main storage to temporary storage as a background process, and restores blocks from a source storage to main storage, allowing for minimal downtime and efficient data migration by utilizing free blocks on the same physical storage drive or external drives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the server is shut down and data is copied from backup storage to storage during the restoration process, then the data can be restored, but the server experiences significant downtime and network resources are overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by creating a virtual storage driver and establishing data block copying mechanisms before the actual restoration is needed. The virtual storage driver is set up in advance to redirect access requests, and the system prepares to copy only changed data blocks from backup storage, so that when restoration is required, the process can begin immediately with minimal downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual storage driver as an intermediary layer between the operating system and the physical storage devices. This driver acts as a mediator that can redirect access requests to different storage locations (main storage or temporary storage) without requiring the server to shut down. The intermediary enables seamless data migration and restoration while the server remains operational.
2Reliability
If the entire archived data set is copied during restoration, then complete data recovery is achieved, but network resources are consumed and transfer time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and transfers only the necessary data blocks from the archived backup storage rather than copying the entire data set. By identifying and transferring only the changed or required blocks, the system achieves complete data recovery while significantly reducing network resource consumption and transfer time compared to conventional full-image restoration methods.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of performing a complete copy of all archived data, the system performs partial action by copying only the specific data blocks that need to be restored. This selective approach transfers just enough data to achieve full recovery without the overhead of transferring redundant or unchanged data, thereby conserving network resources and reducing transfer time.
3Loss of time
If data is copied during server operation, then downtime is minimized, but the complexity of managing virtual storage and redirection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual storage driver implements self-service mechanisms by automatically managing redirection of access requests between main storage and temporary storage. The system handles the complexity of data block tracking, copying, and redirection through automated processes rather than requiring manual intervention, thereby minimizing downtime while containing the complexity within the driver layer without affecting overall system operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for changing storage drive contents, including installing a virtual storage driver in a computer system, wherein the virtual storage driver redirects access requests directed to a main storage of the computer system to one of the main storage and a temporary storage; copying files from the main storage to the temporary storage; restoring files from a source storage into the main storage by overwriting corresponding files in the main storage; and redirecting, to the temporary storage, requests for access directed to files of the main storage that have been copied to the temporary storage.