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US6658540B1 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method for transaction command ordering in a remote data replication system

Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
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Filing: 2000-03-31
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Granted: 2003-12-02
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Expires: 2020-03-31
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Abstract

Abstract A disaster-tolerant data backup and remote copy system which is implemented as a controller-based replication of one or more LUNs (logical units) between two remotely separated pairs of array controllers connected by redundant links. The system provides a method for allowing a large number of commands to be 'outstanding' in transit between local and remote sites while ensuring the proper ordering of commands on remote media during asynchronous or synchronous data replication. In addition, the system provides a mechanism for automatic 'tuning' of links based on the distance between the array controllers.

Inventors

  • 👤 Stephen J. Sicola
  • 👤 Susan G. Elkington
  • 👤 Michael D. Walker
  • 👤 Richard F. Lary

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 17:01
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/16; G06F11/20; G06F11/2002; G06F11/2007; G06F11/201; G06F11/2053; G06F11/2056; G06F11/2064; G06F11/2071; H; H04; H04L; H04L1/00; H04L1/22; H04L1/12; H04L1/16; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99951; Y10S707/99952; Y10S707/99953; Y10S707/99955

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 167 words
A method for copying data, written by a host computer to a local data storage array, to backup a copy of the data on a remote storage system, wherein a local array controller, connected to the local data storage array, is coupled to a remote array controller connected to the remote storage system, the method comprising the steps of: sending a plurality of write commands, associated with the data, from the local array controller to the remote array controller; in the situation wherein a first one of the write commands completes before a second one of the write commands starts at the local site, then inhibiting said data associated with the second one of the write commands from being recorded to media on the remote storage system before said data associated with the first one of the write commands is recorded to media on the remote storage system; and using a sliding window protocol in said sending step to protect against out-of-order receptions at the remote site.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 167 words
A method for copying data, written by a host computer to a local data storage array, to backup a copy of the data on a remote storage system, wherein a local array controller, connected to the local data storage array, is coupled to a remote array controller connected to the remote storage system, the method comprising the steps of: sending a plurality of write commands, associated with the data, from the local array controller to the remote array controller; in the situation wherein a first one of the write commands completes before a second one of the write commands starts at the local site, then inhibiting said data associated with the second one of the write commands from being recorded to media on the remote storage system before said data associated with the first one of the write commands is recorded to media on the remote storage system; and using a sliding window protocol in said sending step to protect against out-of-order receptions at the remote site.
Claim 3
Independent Claim 149 words
A method for copying data, written by a host computer to a local data storage array, to backup a copy of the data on a remote storage system, wherein a local array controller, connected to the local data storage array, is coupled to a remote array controller connected to the remote storage system, the method comprising the steps of: sending a plurality of write commands, associated with the data, from the local array controller to the remote array controller; and in the situation wherein a first one of the write commands completes before a second one of the write commands starts at the local site, then inhibiting said data associated with the second one of the write commands from being recorded to media on the remote storage system before said data associated with the first one of the write commands is recorded to media on the remote storage system.
Claim 4
Independent Claim 149 words
A method for copying data, written by a host computer to a local data storage array, to backup a copy of the data on a remote storage system, wherein a local array controller, connected to the local data storage array, is coupled to a remote array controller connected to the remote storage system, the method comprising the steps of: sending a plurality of write commands, associated with the data, from the local array controller to the remote array controller; and in the situation wherein a first one of the write commands completes before a second one of the write commands starts at the local site, then inhibiting said data associated with the second one of the write commands from being recorded to media on the remote storage system before said data associated with the first one of the write commands is recorded to media on the remote storage system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 26 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein a sliding window protocol is used in said sending step to protect against out-of-order receptions at the remote site.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 133 words
A method for copying data, written by a host computer to a local data storage array, to backup a copy of the data on a remote storage system, wherein a local array controller, connected to the local data storage array, is coupled to a remote array controller connected to the remote storage system, wherein a plurality of write commands, associated with the data, are sent from the local array controller to the remote array controller, the method comprising the step of: in the situation wherein a first write command completes before a second write command starts at the local site, then inhibiting said data associated with the second write command from being recorded to media on the remote storage system before the first write command is recorded to media at the remote site.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 133 words
A method for copying data, written by a host computer to a local data storage array, to backup a copy of the data on a remote storage system, wherein a local array controller, connected to the local data storage array, is coupled to a remote array controller connected to the remote storage system, wherein a plurality of write commands, associated with the data, are sent from the local array controller to the remote array controller, the method comprising the step of: in the situation wherein a first write command completes before a second write command starts at the local site, then inhibiting said data associated with the second write command from being recorded to media on the remote storage system before the first write command is recorded to media at the remote site.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein a sliding window protocol is used to protect against out-of-order receptions at the remote site.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US5274645A Cited
US20010023471A1 Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2006-12-01 2007-06-02 2007-12-02 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2010-12-01 2011-06-02 2011-12-02 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2014-12-01 2015-06-02 2015-12-02 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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