Virtualization Layer I/O Request Management for Storage Encapsulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data migration and encapsulation/de-encapsulation processes are disruptive, labor-intensive, and error-prone, often requiring manual intervention and application downtime, which leads to productivity losses and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method to manage input/output (I/O) requests during the encapsulation and de-encapsulation process using a virtualization layer, allowing for seamless switching between physical and virtual volumes, and preventing access to physical volumes to minimize disruption and errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional data migration and encapsulation processes are used, then data can be moved between storage systems, but the process is disruptive and requires manual intervention and application downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtualization layer as an intermediary between the host and physical storage volumes. This virtualization layer enables automated encapsulation and de-encapsulation operations without requiring direct manual intervention on the physical storage systems, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining application availability during data migration and encapsulation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by establishing virtual volume mappings and I/O request redirection paths before actual data encapsulation or de-encapsulation operations. This allows the system to prepare the storage architecture in advance, enabling seamless switching between physical and virtual volume access without disrupting application operations.
2Reliability
If manual intervention is performed during encapsulation processes, then data can be encapsulated, but errors increase and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service automation where the virtualization layer automatically manages I/O request redirection, volume mapping, and encapsulation operations without requiring manual human intervention. The system autonomously handles the encapsulation and de-encapsulation processes, reducing both error rates and labor costs while increasing the extent of automation in storage management operations.
3Productivity
If access to physical volumes is allowed during encapsulation, then applications can continue to access data, but data integrity risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments storage access into two distinct paths: direct physical volume access and virtual volume access through the virtualization layer. During encapsulation operations, the system can selectively route I/O requests through appropriate paths, allowing applications to continue accessing data through the virtualization layer while preventing direct access to physical volumes that could compromise data integrity during the encapsulation process.
Data Source
AI summary
Technology for minimizing disruptions when host data on a physical volume is encapsulated into a virtualization layer or de-encapsulated is disclosed. Evaluation of a physical volume used as data storage for a virtualization layer before committing to direct access to the physical volume is enabled by preventing direct access before presenting the physical volume directly to the host and by preventing the virtualization layer from moving data on the physical volume while redirecting to the physical volume a first plurality of I/O requests that were directed to the virtualization layer.