US6629264B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Controller-based remote copy system with logical unit grouping
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
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Filing: 2000-03-30
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Granted: 2003-09-30
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Expires: 2020-03-30
Abstract
Abstract A data replication system having a redundant configuration including dual Fiber Channel fabric links interconnecting each of the components of two data storage sites, wherein each site comprises a host computer and associated data storage array, with redundant array controllers and adapters. The system employs the grouping of logical units into ‘association sets’, for logging and failover purposes. The concept of association sets allows the system provides for proper ordering of I/O operations during logging across multiple volumes. In addition, association sets are employed by system to provide failure consistency by causing the group of logical units/volumes to all fail at the same time, ensuring a point in time consistency on the remote site.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen J. Sicola
- 👤 Susan G. Elkington
- 👤 Michael D. Walker
- 👤 James E. Pherson
- 👤 Roger L. Oakey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:47
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/16; G06F11/20; G06F11/2002; G06F11/2007; G06F11/2053; G06F11/2056; G06F11/2064; G06F11/2069; G06F11/2071; G06F11/2089; G06F2201/00; G06F2201/82; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99951; Y10S707/99952; Y10S707/99953
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
In a data replication system having two sites each including a host computer and a node comprising a pair of array controllers coupled to a data storage array, a method for maintaining a consistent view of the data across a group of logical units, the method comprising: establishing, in memory for each said host computer, correspondence between an association set name and a remote copy set name for each member of the group of logical units to generate an association set; and failing any I/O directed to any member of the association set whenever the one of the array controllers which is serving any said member of the association set fails, wherein one of the array controllers is an initiator controller, further including providing a user-selectable option which enables a Fail All mode wherein any I/O operation directed to any said member of the association set will fail whenever the initiator controller fails.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
In a data replication system having two sites each including a host computer and a node comprising a pair of array controllers coupled to a data storage array, a method for maintaining a consistent view of the data across a group of logical units, the method comprising: establishing, in memory for each said host computer, correspondence between an association set name and a remote copy set name for each member of the group of logical units to generate an association set; and failing any I/O directed to any member of the association set whenever the one of the array controllers which is serving any said member of the association set fails, wherein one of the array controllers is an initiator controller, further including providing a user-selectable option which enables a Fail All mode wherein any I/O operation directed to any said member of the association set will fail whenever the initiator controller fails.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , further including registering, with each said host computer, an identifier for each said logical unit, to establish an association therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein a log unit is located on the data storage array, and every said member of the association set shares the same log unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 , further including logging all transactions between the host computer and the data storage array in order with respect to all logical units in the association set.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the two sites are interconnected by two Fibre channel fabric links.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein a log unit is located on the data storage array, and every said logical unit in the association set shares the same said log unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
158 words
In a data replication system having two sites each including a host computer and a node comprising a pair of array controllers coupled to a data storage array, a method for maintaining a consistent view of the data across a group of logical units, the method comprising: establishing, in memory for each said host computer, correspondence between an association set name and a plurality of logical units to generate an association set, wherein each of the logical units is a member of a remote copy set; and failing any I/O directed to any member of the association set whenever the one of the array controllers which is serving any said member of the association set fails, wherein one of the array controllers is an initiator controller, further including providing a user-selectable option which enables a Fail All mode wherein any I/O operation directed to any said member of the association set will fail whenever the initiator controller fails.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
158 words
In a data replication system having two sites each including a host computer and a node comprising a pair of array controllers coupled to a data storage array, a method for maintaining a consistent view of the data across a group of logical units, the method comprising: establishing, in memory for each said host computer, correspondence between an association set name and a plurality of logical units to generate an association set, wherein each of the logical units is a member of a remote copy set; and failing any I/O directed to any member of the association set whenever the one of the array controllers which is serving any said member of the association set fails, wherein one of the array controllers is an initiator controller, further including providing a user-selectable option which enables a Fail All mode wherein any I/O operation directed to any said member of the association set will fail whenever the initiator controller fails.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein a log unit is located on the data storage array, and every said member of the association set shares the same log unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 7 , further including logging all transactions between the host computer and the data storage array in order with respect to all logical units in the association set.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 7 , further including registering, with each said host computer, an identifier for each said logical unit, to establish an association therebetween.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-09-29 | 2007-03-31 | 2007-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-09-29 | 2011-03-31 | 2011-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-09-29 | 2015-03-31 | 2015-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |