Virtual Tape Control Device Optimizing Physical Volume Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual tape systems inefficiently manage the export of logical volumes to physical volumes, often requiring more physical volumes than necessary due to the lack of consideration for data sizes and free space, leading to suboptimal resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
A control device and method that optimizes the order and allocation of logical volumes to physical volumes by generating write information based on data sizes and free spaces, allowing for efficient writing and reading of data between cache units and physical volumes, thereby minimizing the number of physical volumes used.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the virtual tape device stores LVs in PVs in accordance with the order specified in the LV list without considering data sizes, then the export processing is simple to implement, but the number of PVs required increases and resource utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of the number of PVs required based on LV data sizes and PV free spaces before executing the export processing. This advance planning allows the system to allocate PVs efficiently, ensuring that the minimum necessary number of PVs is used while avoiding the need for operator intervention during the export process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the LV list and performs simulation processing on the copy to calculate the required number of PVs before executing the actual export. This simulation allows the system to determine optimal PV allocation without affecting the actual export operation, enabling efficient resource utilization while maintaining simple execution logic.
2Reliability
If the virtual tape device terminates export processing when the next LV data size exceeds the remaining PV capacity, then the system maintains data integrity, but the operator must manually specify another PV and the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates and determines the complete sequence of PV assignments for all LVs in advance, before the actual export processing begins. This preliminary planning ensures that data integrity is maintained by only assigning LVs that fit within PV capacity constraints, while also eliminating the need for manual PV specification during execution, thereby maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the simulation processing results to automatically adjust and optimize the export execution plan. By analyzing the data sizes and PV capacities, the system generates an optimized assignment sequence that maintains data integrity constraints while maximizing export efficiency, eliminating the need for operator intervention.
3Ease of manufacture
If the system does not calculate the number of PVs in advance based on data sizes, then the implementation is simpler, but the resource utilization becomes suboptimal and more PVs are used than necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a simulation copy of the export scenario to calculate the optimal number of PVs required based on LV data sizes and PV free spaces. This simulation is performed on a copy of the LV list, allowing the system to determine efficient resource allocation without complicating the actual export implementation logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculation of PV requirements by analyzing LV data sizes and matching them against PV free spaces before the actual export execution. This advance calculation enables optimal resource utilization while keeping the export processing itself simple and straightforward to implement.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device includes a processor. The processor is configured to receive an execution request for write processing of writing data of logical volumes to second physical volumes. The data of the logical volumes is stored in first physical volumes. The processor is configured to generate write information on basis of data sizes of the respective logical volumes and free spaces of storage areas of the respective second physical volumes. The processor is configured to perform, on basis of the write information, control of writing first data of the logical volumes from a cache unit to the second physical volumes. The processor is configured to perform control of reading second data of the logical volumes from the first physical volumes to the cache unit. The processor is configured to optimize the write information in response to completion of the control of reading.