Virtual Volume Data Migration Between Storage Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Migrating data between different data storage environments, particularly between 7-Mode and Cluster-Mode systems, is challenging due to differences in data management techniques and the complexity of preserving interdependent storage elements like tree-based quotas (qtrees), leading to inefficiencies and high overhead costs.
Innovation Solution
A data migration system creates a virtual volume on a virtual storage system associated with a 7-Mode system, replicating data using a qtree replication function and backing it with a logical unit on a Cluster-Mode system, allowing for efficient data migration by bridging the divide between storage environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional data migration techniques are used between 7-Mode and Cluster-Mode systems, then data can be migrated, but the process is slow and resource-intensive due to multiple replication stages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual storage system as an intermediary between the 7-Mode and Cluster-Mode storage systems. This virtual storage system receives data from the 7-Mode system and presents it to the Cluster-Mode system, enabling direct migration without multiple intermediate replication stages. The virtual storage system acts as a bridge that translates between the different storage modes, significantly reducing migration time and resource consumption.
2Reliability
If multiple stages of replication are used to migrate complex data structures, then data integrity can be maintained, but hardware resources and overhead costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual storage system serves as a mediator that preserves data integrity during migration by maintaining the logical structure and relationships of complex data structures like qtrees. It handles the translation and coordination between different storage modes, eliminating the need for multiple replication stages while ensuring data consistency and integrity throughout the migration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual storage system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it receives data from 7-Mode systems, manages the data structure preservation, and presents data to Cluster-Mode systems. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple specialized systems working in sequence, reducing hardware resources and overhead costs while maintaining data integrity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If data structures with interdependent storage elements are migrated using conventional methods, then data relationships can be preserved, but the migration process becomes highly complex
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual storage system acts as an intermediary that understands and preserves the interdependent relationships within complex data structures. It maintains the logical connections between storage elements during migration, handling the complexity of data relationships internally while presenting a simplified migration process to the user. This eliminates the need for complex manual coordination of multiple replication stages.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples described herein include a data migration system for migrating data between different data storage environments. The data migration system creates a first volume on a first storage system, and creates a logical unit within the first volume. The data migration system then creates a virtual volume on a virtual storage system associated with a second storage system, wherein data stored in the virtual volume is backed by the logical unit on the first storage system. The data migration system then replicates, on the virtual volume, a set of data stored on the second storage system. Upon replicating the set of data onto the virtual volume the virtual storage system may automatically create a copy of the corresponding data in the logical unit of the first volume.