Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080201391 | Methods and apparatus for adjusting a journal area for continuous data protection - In a storage system implementing journaling for data backup and restore, users are able to easily determine information regarding amounts journal data generated over specified periods of time. Flexible and automatic adjustment of the journal area is enabled by providing the user with the information on the relationships between the amounts of journal data generated over periods of time. Also dynamic allocation of storage capacity from free space may be applied to the journal volume on an as-needed basis, and may be used to minimize the size of the journal volume when certain journal entries are determined to be no longer needed. Thus, users are able to determine an appropriate size of a journal area in accordance with requirements for predetermined preservation periods for backup data. Thereby, management of the journal area is simplified and the costs to manage the journal area are reduced. | 08-21-2008 |
20080263304 | LATENCY ALIGNED VOLUME PROVISIONING METHODS FOR INTERCONNECTED MULTIPLE STORAGE CONTROLLER CONFIGURATION - A system is composed of multiple storage control modules, which are connected to each other via interconnects. The aforesaid interconnects connecting the storage control modules may cause certain extra latency. Each storage control module may have data preservation module, which can preserve data stored by host computers. The system incorporates a latency table and provides a volume according to the latency table in accordance with a request from a host computer or an administrator. The latency table is dynamically created or statically stored in the inventive system. | 10-23-2008 |
20080282047 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO BACKUP AND RESTORE DATA FOR VIRTUALIZED STORAGE AREA - Information about management of virtualization (i.e. mapping between physical area/data/objects and logical area/data/objects) is provided by a storage system to a backup appliance (or common computer) that performs backup and restore of data. The backup appliance uses the information to recognize the mapping and to perform backup and restore process based on the mapping. Therefore the backup appliance handles only physical (really existing) area/data/objects to perform backup and restore rather than virtual ones. This realizes reducing the amount of data to be transferred and backed up, thus the problems mentioned above are solved. | 11-13-2008 |
20090037482 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACHIEVING CONSISTENCY OF FILES IN CONTINUOUS DATA PROTECTION - In one implementation, the system comprises host computes, a management terminal and a storage system having a journaling capability mentioned above. The storage system can make and insert markers including status information of related files in the journal. The storage system provides information regarding the markers such that the user can search a maker indicating time point that has required consistency. Then the user or application software can obtain data in the time point with whole consistency of related data. In another implementation, the storage system can make and insert markers that indicate database's commit point regarding file managed by the database. The storage system provides information regarding the makers, therefore user or application software can obtain data in the time point with whole consistency of related data by specifying a marker as time point to be recovered. | 02-05-2009 |
20090077328 | Methods and apparatuses for heat management in storage systems - An information system includes a storage system having a controller in communication with a plurality of storage devices. In some embodiments, the storage devices are divided into at least a first group and a second group, with a first temperature sensor sensing a temperature condition for the first group, and a second temperature sensor for sensing a temperature condition for the second group. A heat distribution rule designates the first groups to be high temperature groups and the second groups to be low temperature groups. The heat distribution rule is implemented by designating a higher load of input/output (I/O) operations to the high temperature groups than to the low temperature groups, such as by migrating volumes having high I/O loads to the high temperature groups. In other embodiments, there are multiple storage systems, and each storage system is designated as a high temperature system or a low temperature system. | 03-19-2009 |
20090077558 | Methods and apparatuses for heat management in information systems - In some embodiments, an information system is divided into sections, with one or more first computers located in a first section and one or more second computers located in a second section, including a first temperature sensor sensing a temperature condition for the first section and a second temperature sensor sensing a temperature condition for the second section. In some embodiments, when heat distribution determined from the first and second temperature conditions is not in conformance with a predetermined rule for heat distribution, the information system is configured to relocate a portion of the processing load of the first computers to the second computers, or vice versa, for bringing the heat distribution into conformance with the rule. In some embodiments, the effect of other equipment, such as storage system or switches in the sections is also considered, and loads on this equipment may also be relocated between sections. | 03-19-2009 |
20090132619 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DEDUPLICATION IN STORAGE SYSTEM - In one implementation, a storage system comprises host computers, a management terminal and a storage system having block interface to communicate with the host computers/clients. The storage system also incorporates a deduplication capability using chunks (divided storage area). The storage system maintains a threshold (upper limit) with respect to the degree of deduplication (i.e. number of virtual data for one real data) specified by users or the management software. The storage system counts the number of links for each chunk and does not perform deduplication when the number of reduced data for a chunk exceeds the threshold, even if duplication is detected. In another implementation, the storage system additionally incorporates a data migration capability and migrates physical data to high reliability area such as area protected with double parity (i.e. RAID6) when the deduplication level for a chunk exceeds the threshold. | 05-21-2009 |
20090210462 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO CONTROL TRANSITION OF BACKUP DATA - Disclosed is a system incorporating a management computer, host computers, a backup server and at least one storage system. Backup data generated in the system are stored in various storage system such as disk array, tape library and VTL (virtual tape library) with various methods such as continuous data protection and snapshot, and management information of the backup data is maintained by the management computer. The management computer conducts transition of mode of the backup data by detecting that a condition to perform the transition is satisfied, determining a plan of transition according to predetermined scenario, performing (instructing) the transition based on the plan and updating the management information of the backup data. By keeping the management information up to date, the management computer can provide a unified means to restore necessary data from the backup data even if the transition (moving and/or change) of the backup data has been performed. | 08-20-2009 |
20100011368 | Methods, systems and programs for partitioned storage resources and services in dynamically reorganized storage platforms - Exemplary embodiments establish durable partitions that are unified across storage systems and storage server computers. The partitions provide independent name spaces and are able to maintain specified services and conditions regardless of operations taking place in other partitions, and regardless of configuration changes in the information system. A management computer manages and assigns resources and functions provided by storage server computers and storage systems to each partition. By using the assigned resources, a partition is able to provide storage and other services to users and applications on host computers. When a configuration change occurs, such as addition or deletion of equipment, the management computer performs reassignment of resources, manages migration of services and/or data, and otherwise maintains the functionality of the partition for the user or application. Additionally, a partition can be migrated within the information system for various purposes, such as improved performance, load balancing, and the like. | 01-14-2010 |
20100077168 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AUTOMATED PAGE-BASED TIER MANAGEMENT IN STORAGE SYSTEMS - System and method for automated page-based management in storage systems. The system includes host computers, file servers and a storage system having automated page-based management means. The storage system interface receives instructions to change the condition for decision for migration regarding particular parts or the whole volume. The host computer can control execution of the migration performed by the storage system by specifying areas or volumes with the condition via the interface. Highly optimized, appropriate data placement and data relocation in computer system can be achieved when the application, host computer or management computer can recognize or predict the usage of the data or files. The storage system having automated page-based management may include compression/decompression and a control method for the compression and decompression process. | 03-25-2010 |
20100199038 | REMOTE COPY METHOD AND REMOTE COPY SYSTEM - In a configuration in which it is necessary to transfer data from a first storage system to a third storage system through a storage system between the storage systems, there is a problem that it is inevitable to give an excess logical volume to a second storage system between the storage systems. A remote copy system includes first storage system that sends and receives data to and from an information processing apparatus, a second storage system, and a third storage system. The second storage system virtually has a second storage area in which the data should be written and has a third storage area in which the data written in the second storage area and update information concerning the data are written. Data sent from the first storage system is not written in the second storage area but is written in the third storage area as data and update information. The data and the update information written in the third storage area are read out from the third storage system. | 08-05-2010 |
20100205390 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MIGRATING THIN PROVISIONING VOLUMES BETWEEN STORAGE SYSTEMS - Multiple storage systems have capability to provide thin provisioning volumes to host computers and capability to transfer (import/export) management information regarding thin provisioning between storage systems. Moreover, at least one of the storage systems posses capability to provide storage area of other storage system as own storage area virtually via connection to the other storage system (i.e. external storage). Target storage system achieves efficient migration and unifying storage resource pool by importing or referring the management information obtained from source storage system and by utilizing the source storage system as external storage. One implementation involves method and process for migration of thin provisioning volumes using chunks having same length between source storage system and destination storage system. In this implementation, storage resource pool is unified by importing management information from the source storage system, and automated page-based relocation is performed to adjust actual location of data. | 08-12-2010 |
20100235597 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN CONVENTIONAL VOLUMES AND THIN PROVISIONING WITH AUTOMATED TIER MANAGEMENT - A method for providing storage volumes, which are to be converted to thin provisioned volumes, comprises receiving from a host computer a read/write request identifying a target storage volume among the storage volumes and a target area of access; processing the read/write request and updating an access information of the target storage volume; if the target storage volume does not have access information, generating access information for the converted thin provisioned volume from initial values; and if the target storage volume has access information, generating access information for the converted thin provisioned volume based on the access information of the target storage volume. | 09-16-2010 |
20110066803 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO UTILIZE LARGE CAPACITY DISK DRIVES - A method of utilizing storage in a storage system comprises prioritizing a plurality of storage areas in the storage system for data recovery with different priorities; and performing data recovery of the storage system at an occurrence of a failure involving one or more of the storage areas in the storage system based on the priorities. Data recovery for one storage area having a higher priority is to occur before data recovery for another storage area having a lower priority in the storage system. In various embodiments, the prioritization is achieved by monitoring the access characteristics, or the priority is specified by the host or management computer based on the usage and/or importance of data stored in the storage system, or the priority is determined by the storage system based on the area assignment/release (i.e., usage) of thin provisioned volumes. | 03-17-2011 |
20110078334 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING VIRTUAL PORTS AND LOGICAL UNITS ON STORAGE SYSTEMS - A storage system configured to associate a virtual port | 03-31-2011 |
20110185140 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO SUPPORT DETERMINING STORAGE AREA UNIT SIZE - An information system comprises a host computer; a management computer; and a storage system including a storage controller and a plurality of storage volumes, the storage system configured to provide thin provisioned volumes from the plurality of storage volumes to the host computer for input/output. Each thin provisioned volume includes a plurality of segments which are provided by chunks of the storage volumes in the storage system. The storage controller is configured to assign a chunk to a segment on demand, analyze effectiveness of different chunk sizes for a chunk to be assigned to a segment and provide a report of the analyzed effectiveness to the management computer, and determine a size of a chunk to be assigned to a segment based on input from the management computer after the management computer receives the report of analyzed effectiveness. | 07-28-2011 |
20110258404 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO MANAGE GROUPS FOR DEDUPLICATION - A storage system comprises one or more pool volumes having chunks for storing data; one or more primary volumes; writable snapshots as virtual volumes for each primary volume which is a common ancestor of the writable snapshots, each primary volume and corresponding writable snapshots being members forming a snapshot group; and a storage controller which includes a processor, a memory storing, for each snapshot group, group information of the members within the snapshot group, and a deduplication module. The deduplication module may identify a snapshot group for deduplication based on the group information and perform deduplication of data for the identified snapshot group in a deduplication area, or perform deduplication of data in a deduplication area which is specified based on the group information of a snapshot group being generated in the storage system. | 10-20-2011 |
20110302386 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO MANAGE SPECIAL REARRANGEMENT IN AUTOMATED TIER MANAGEMENT - A storage controller performs automated page-based tier management of storing data in tiered storage using pool groups, which includes evaluating the pool groups based on a preset rule in order to determine an evaluation result for each pool group, and using the evaluation results among the pool groups to determine which pool group is to be selected for allocation against portions of one storage volume of a plurality storage volumes. In response to receiving an instruction for rearrangement of data in the tiered storage, the instruction including a requirement to be satisfied in selecting the plurality of tiers within a pool group based on access characteristics for allocation against portions of the one storage volume, the storage controller analyzes the pool groups according to the requirement to determine whether any of the pool groups is appropriate to possess the one storage volume for storing the data. | 12-08-2011 |
20120290787 | REMOTE COPY METHOD AND REMOTE COPY SYSTEM - A remote copy system includes: a first storage system having a first logical volume accompanied with a first plurality of disk drives in the first storage system; a second storage system having a second logical volume, which is a virtual volume not accompanied with a second plurality of disk drives in the second storage system, the virtual volume configuring a first remote copy pair with the first logical volume; and a third storage system having a third logical volume accompanied with a third plurality of disk drives in the third storage system, the third logical volume configuring a second remote copy pair with the virtual volume and storing a copied data of data stored in the first logical volume. If the second storage system receives write data sent from the first storage system to the virtual volume, the second storage system transfers the write data to the third logical volume. | 11-15-2012 |
20120317311 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING VIRTUAL PORTS AND LOGICAL UNITS ON STORAGE SYSTEMS - A storage system configured to associate a virtual port | 12-13-2012 |
20130007509 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO UTILIZE LARGE CAPACITY DISK DRIVES - A method of utilizing storage in a storage system comprises prioritizing a plurality of storage areas in the storage system for data recovery with different priorities; and performing data recovery of the storage system at an occurrence of a failure involving one or more of the storage areas in the storage system based on the priorities. Data recovery for one storage area having a higher priority is to occur before data recovery for another storage area having a lower priority in the storage system. In various embodiments, the prioritization is achieved by monitoring the access characteristics, or the priority is specified by the host or management computer based on the usage and/or importance of data stored in the storage system, or the priority is determined by the storage system based on the area assignment/release (i.e., usage) of thin provisioned volumes. | 01-03-2013 |
20130124818 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AUTOMATED PAGE-BASED TIER MANAGEMENT IN STORAGE SYSTEMS - System and method for automated page-based management in storage systems. The system includes host computers, file servers and a storage system having automated page-based management means. The storage system interface receives instructions to change the condition for decision for migration regarding particular parts or the whole volume. The host computer can control execution of the migration performed by the storage system by specifying areas or volumes with the condition via the interface. Highly optimized, appropriate data placement and data relocation in computer system can be achieved when the application, host computer or management computer can recognize or predict the usage of the data or files. The storage system having automated page-based management may include compression/decompression and a control method for the compression and decompression process. | 05-16-2013 |
20130166872 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MIGRATING THIN PROVISIONING VOLUMES BETWEEN STORAGE SYSTEMS - Multiple storage systems have capability to provide thin provisioning volumes to host computers and capability to transfer (import/export) management information regarding thin provisioning between storage systems. Moreover, at least one of the storage systems posses capability to provide storage area of other storage system as own storage area virtually via connection to the other storage system (i.e. external storage). Target storage system achieves efficient migration and unifying storage resource pool by importing or referring the management information obtained from source storage system and by utilizing the source storage system as external storage. One implementation involves method and process for migration of thin provisioning volumes using chunks having same length between source storage system and destination storage system. In this implementation, storage resource pool is unified by importing management information from the source storage system, and automated page-based relocation is performed to adjust actual location of data. | 06-27-2013 |
20140156963 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AUTOMATED PAGE-BASED TIER MANAGEMENT IN STORAGE SYSTEMS - System and method for automated page-based management in storage systems. The system includes host computers, file servers and a storage system having automated page-based management means. The storage system interface receives instructions to change the condition for decision for migration regarding particular parts or the whole volume. The host computer can control execution of the migration performed by the storage system by specifying areas or volumes with the condition via the interface. Highly optimized, appropriate data placement and data relocation in computer system can be achieved when the application, host computer or management computer can recognize or predict the usage of the data or files. The storage system having automated page-based management may include compression/decompression and a control method for the compression and decompression process. | 06-05-2014 |