Virtualized File System Migration via External Link Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage systems face challenges in seamlessly migrating user data from legacy file systems to new systems while maintaining uninterrupted access for clients, as existing solutions often result in prolonged downtime and inefficiencies during the migration process.
Innovation Solution
A data storage system with a new file system managing unit that virtualizes the legacy file system, allowing indirect client access through external link objects, and migrates data in incremental blocks, enabling seamless access and minimizing downtime by queuing client requests during migration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data is migrated from legacy file system to new file system, then system performance and capacity are improved, but client access interruption time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing the new file system managing unit and configuring external link objects before actual data migration begins. The virtualization structure is prepared in advance, allowing the system to switch to the new file system with minimal interruption once migration is complete, rather than attempting migration during active client access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses external link objects as intermediaries between clients and the actual file data. These link objects allow clients to access files through the new file system managing unit while the actual data migration occurs in the background from the legacy file system, decoupling client access from the migration process and minimizing interruption time.
2Productivity
If data migration is performed in large blocks, then migration speed is improved, but client access disruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the file system data into smaller units that can be migrated incrementally. By dividing the data migration into manageable segments handled through external link objects, the system can maintain client access to files while progressively migrating data blocks, balancing migration speed with access continuity.
3Ease of operation
If legacy file system structure is preserved, then user data accessibility is maintained, but system efficiency and capacity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtualized copy of the legacy file system structure through external link objects in the new file system. This copy maintains the familiar file hierarchy and access patterns for users while the underlying data is progressively migrated to the more efficient new file system, allowing users to access data through the preserved structure while benefiting from improved system efficiency.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for data migration of a first file system in a data storage system comprising a plurality of client computers 100, a first file system managing unit 310 for managing the first file system and being connected to the plurality of client computers 100, and a second file system managing unit 410 for managing a second file system and being connected to the first file system managing unit 310, the second file system comprising a plurality of data files and the first file system comprising a plurality of external link objects, each external link object of the first file system being associated with a respective data file of the second file system for enabling client access to the respective data file of the second file system.