Virtual Volume Metadata Conversion Without Data Duplication
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for converting virtual volumes from one type to another require significant storage resources, leading to potential storage space issues and increased costs, as they often necessitate copying data to a different storage location, which can result in storage space shortages or the need for additional storage allocation during the conversion process.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves converting virtual volumes by modifying the associated metadata from one type to another without moving the actual data, allowing the virtual volume to remain in its original storage location and enabling continuous write operations during the conversion process, thereby avoiding the need for additional storage space and maintaining system performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If virtual volume conversion is performed by copying data to a different storage location, then the volume type can be changed, but storage space consumption increases and additional storage allocation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential conversion functionality from physical data movement and relocates it to metadata manipulation. By taking out the data copying operation and replacing it with metadata type transformation, the system achieves volume type conversion without consuming additional storage space for data duplication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a logical copy of the volume type through metadata rather than a physical copy of the data. The metadata is transformed to represent a different volume type while the actual data remains in place, achieving conversion through informational copying rather than physical data duplication.
2Adaptability or versatility
If data is copied to a different storage location for conversion, then volume type changes can be achieved, but storage resources increase and costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the energy-intensive data copying operation from the conversion process and extracts only the essential type transformation functionality, applying it to metadata instead. This extraction eliminates unnecessary storage resource consumption while preserving volume type flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter being transformed from physical data location to metadata type information. By changing what parameter is modified during conversion (from data position to metadata classification), the system achieves volume type flexibility without the resource cost of moving actual data.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional volume conversion methods are used, then complete conversion can be achieved, but write operations must be stopped during conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the volume conversion process into two independent parts: metadata transformation (which can occur online) and data integrity validation (which ensures conversion completeness). This segmentation allows write operations to continue during metadata conversion while maintaining conversion precision through post-conversion validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary metadata transformation before data validation is complete. By preliminarily converting the metadata type while the data is still being accessed, the system enables online conversion while ensuring completeness through subsequent validation of the converted metadata against the actual data.
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a system converts a virtual volume from a first volume type to a second volume type without modifying the virtual volume, the converting comprising accessing a source metadata associated with the virtual volume, the source metadata including information for the first volume type, and generating a destination metadata associated with the virtual volume, the destination metadata including information for the second volume type. While the virtual volume is being converted from the first volume type to the second volume type, the system processes a write operation that accesses a portion of the virtual volume and changes data in the accessed portion of the virtual volume.