Virtual Library Extension Logical Partitioning for Disaster Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of tape libraries in disaster recovery (DR) scenarios is hindered by issues such as physical multi-volume cartridges (MVCs) being lost, damaged, or unreadable due to storage media defects, leading to delays and cumbersome data retrieval processes.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a scalable second tier of disk storage, like Oracle's Virtual Library Extension (VLE), which logically partitions disk storage into MVC pools, allowing for concurrent storage of production data and efficient data retrieval during DR tests or actual disasters, reducing reliance on active mainframe hosts and VTLs, and maintaining data on disk media for longer periods to minimize tape wear and improve reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If tape libraries are used for disaster recovery storage, then data can be stored with lower cost and higher capacity, but data retrieval is delayed and the process becomes cumbersome when physical MVCs are lost, damaged, or unreadable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoiddata retrieval time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the tape library environment using VTL and VLE technology. Instead of physically retrieving and reading damaged tape cartridges, the system maintains virtual copies of data on disk-based storage that can be immediately accessed during disaster recovery, eliminating the time loss associated with physical tape media issues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The VTL and VLE act as intermediary layers between the host system and physical tape libraries. These intermediaries buffer data access operations, allowing the system to retrieve data from virtual disk-based storage during disasters without needing to physically access the original tape media, thus resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and retrieval speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If physical MVCs are used in remote tape libraries, then data can be archived with favorable unit cost and long archival stability, but the MVCs can be lost, damaged, or become unreadable due to storage media defects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearchival stabilityVSAvoidmedia defects and physical damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual copies of tape volumes stored on disk-based VLE at the remote site. These virtual copies serve as resilient intermediaries that protect against physical tape media defects and damage while maintaining archival stability, as the virtual environment can be rapidly restored or migrated without physical media degradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-establishes virtual copies of data in the VLE before actual disaster events occur. This beforehand cushioning ensures that when physical tape media fails or becomes damaged, the organization already has protected virtual replicas ready for immediate recovery, cushioning against the harmful effects of media defects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Productivity

If data is migrated to second tier disk storage like VLE, then data retrieval during DR events is immediate and tape wear is minimized, but the system requires logical partitioning and management of disk storage resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata retrieval speedVSAvoidstorage management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the disk storage system into logical partitions, specifically creating MVC pools within the VLE that emulate traditional tape library structures. This segmentation allows the system to achieve fast disk-based retrieval speeds while maintaining familiar tape-like management interfaces, reducing the perceived complexity for users

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If VTLs are used to emulate tape libraries, then compatibility with existing backup software is maintained, but the underlying tape media requires physical access and handling that increases operational complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware compatibilityVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a complete virtual environment that copies the tape library interface and behavior. The VLE presents a virtual tape library interface to backup software, maintaining full compatibility while all actual data operations occur on disk-based storage, eliminating the need for physical tape handling and significantly simplifying operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS9703648B2Logically partitioning remote virtual library extensions for use in disaster recovery of production data

Publication Date: 2017.07.11 ORACLE INT CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods that make use of logical partitions of a second tier of disk storage at a disaster recovery (DR) site remote from a production site as part of a DR setup to advantageously reduce disruption to production site data production operations during DR procedures while providing for the substantially immediate recall or retrieval of data previously migrated to the remote second tier of disk storage.