Reliable Asynchronous Data for Secure Backups

Introduction

This patented asynchronous remote copy system provides a powerful solution for businesses that need to ensure data continuity across geographically dispersed locations. Designed to offer secure and efficient data replication, this system is built for industries requiring rapid, reliable data backups and seamless disaster recovery. The technology enables organizations to confidently store and access critical data, even across great distances, ensuring both operational continuity and data security.

Common Challenge: Data Consistency and Real-Time Replication

Many businesses rely on remote backup solutions to protect their data, but traditional synchronous replication systems often demand high bandwidth and significant system resources. These systems can experience lags or bottlenecks, particularly over long distances, which affect data consistency and backup speed. As organizations scale and spread their operations globally, the need for a fast, asynchronous replication solution becomes essential to maintaining secure and reliable access to data while reducing operational costs.

Efficient Replication with Adaptive Asynchronous Control

This advanced asynchronous data replication technology addresses these challenges by managing remote copy processes without taxing system resources or requiring constant network availability. Utilizing an intelligent control method, the system efficiently schedules data updates to avoid network congestion, enhancing data transfer speeds without compromising data integrity. The asynchronous approach reduces dependency on network conditions, allowing for flexible replication times that keep data backups current and accessible, even in the event of a primary system failure.

Key Benefits Across Critical Sectors

For cloud providers and IT infrastructure managers, this system offers a robust backup solution that minimizes network load and reduces latency issues commonly associated with data replication over long distances. Disaster recovery teams benefit from fast, dependable data synchronization, providing uninterrupted service to clients during critical events. Enterprises in finance, healthcare, and other data-sensitive industries will appreciate the system’s capacity to ensure data integrity while avoiding the operational strains typical of synchronous replication. Additionally, this technology is compatible with diverse storage environments, making it ideal for organizations with complex data ecosystems.

Invest in Data Security and Continuity

Licensing this reliable asynchronous data replication system gives your organization a strategic advantage in data management and disaster recovery. With its adaptive control for efficient, remote data replication, this technology provides both flexibility and security, keeping critical information available regardless of network challenges or geographical constraints. It’s an essential tool for industries committed to maintaining data integrity and operational stability, positioning your organization at the forefront of dependable data backup solutions in a digital world.

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Abstract
Claims

Before starting asynchronous remote copy in the multihop method (asynchronous remote copy from the first to the second storage apparatus, and from the second to the third storage apparatus), the first initial copy which is the copy for making the contents of the first data volume in the first storage apparatus and the contents of the second data volume in the second storage apparatus consistent and the second initial copy which is the copy for making the contents of the second data volume and the contents of the third data volume in the third storage apparatus consistent are performed. In the second initial copy, the second storage apparatus creates a journal including the update number and the data in the second data volume, and the journal is transferred from the second storage apparatus to the third storage apparatus. The created update number is acquired from the first storage apparatus.

The invention claimed is:

1. A computer system comprising:

a first storage system having a plurality of first drives and a first controller which configures a first volume and a first journal volume on the plurality of first drives, wherein the first controller stores data sent from a host computer to the first volume, and creates journal data including an update number and the data, and stores the created journal data to the first journal volume;

a second storage system having a plurality of second drives and a second controller which configures a second volume and a second journal volume on the plurality of second drives, wherein the second controller stores the journal data sent from the first storage system to the second journal volume, and reflects the data in the journal data to the second volume in order of the update number in the journal data stored in the second journal volume; and

a third storage system having a plurality of third drives and a third controller which configures a third volume and a third journal volume on the plurality of third drives, wherein the third controller stores the journal data sent from the second storage system to the third journal volume, and reflects the data in the journal data to the third volume in order of the update number in the journal data stored in the third journal volume;

wherein when the second controller in second storage system receives a read request of journal data from the third controller in the third storage system, the second controller in second storage system rejects the read request if the second controller has not reflected data included in the requested journal data to the second volume.

2. A computer system according to claim 1, wherein when the second controller the second storage system receives the read request, the second controller in the second storage system sends a predetermined response to the third controller in the third storage system.

3. A computer system according to claim 1, wherein when the second controller in the second storage system receives the read request, the second controller in the second storage sends an error message to the third controller in the third storage system.

4. A computer system according to claim 1,

wherein after the third controller in the third storage system reflects the data in the journal data stored in the third journal volume to the third volume, the third controller in the third storage system purges the reflected journal data from the third journal volume and sends the update number in the reflected journal data to the second storage system.

5. A computer system according to claim 4, wherein when the second controller in the second storage system receives the update number from the third controller in the third storage system, the second controller in the second storage system purges the corresponding journal data including the received update number from the second journal volume.

6. A computer system according to claim 5,

wherein when the second controller in the second storage system receives the update number from the third controller in the third storage system, the second controller in the second storage system sends the received update number to the first controller in the first storage system, and

wherein when the first controller in the first storage system receives the update number from the second controller in the second storage system, the first controller in the first storage system purges the corresponding journal data including the received update number from the first journal volume.

7. A computer system comprising:

a first storage system having a plurality of first drives and a first controller which configures a first volume and a first journal volume on the plurality of first drives, wherein the first controller stores data sent from a host computer to the first volume, and creates first journal data including an update number and the data, and stores the created first journal data to the first journal volume;

a second storage system having a plurality of second drives and a second controller which configures a second volume and a second journal volume on the plurality of second drives, wherein the second controller stores the first journal data obtained from the first storage system to the second journal volume as second journal data by sending a read request of the first journal data to the first storage system, and reflects the data in the second journal data to the second volume in order of the update number in the second journal data; and

a third storage system having a plurality of third drives and a third controller which configures a third volume and a third journal volume on the plurality of third drives, wherein the third controller stores the second journal data obtained from the second storage system to the third journal volume as third journal data by sending a read request of the second journal data to the second storage system, and reflects the data in the third journal data to the third volume in order of the update number in the third journal data;

wherein when the second controller in the second storage system receives a read request of second journal data from the third controller in the third storage system, the second controller in the second storage system rejects the read request if the second controller has not reflected data in the requested second journal data to the second volume.

8. A computer system according to claim 7, wherein when the second storage system receives the read request of the second journal data, which is stored in the second journal volume and not reflected to the second volume, the second controller in the second storage system sends a predetermined response to the third controller in the third storage system.

9. A computer system according to claim 7, wherein when the second controller in the second storage system receives the read request of the second journal data, which is stored in the second journal volume and not reflected to the second volume, the second controller in the second storage system sends an error message to the third storage system.

10. A computer system according to claim 7,

wherein after the third controller in the third storage system reflects the data in the third journal data stored in the third journal volume to the third volume, the third controller in the third storage system purges the reflected third journal data from the third journal volume and sends the update number in the reflected third journal data to the second storage system.

11. A computer system according to claim 10, wherein when the second controller in the second storage system receives the update number from the third controller in the third storage system, the second controller in the second storage system purges the second journal data including the received update number from the second journal volume.

12. A computer system according to claim 11,

wherein when the first controller in the first storage system receives the update number from the second controller in the second storage system, the first controller in the first storage system purges the first journal data including the received update number from the first journal volume.

Title

Asynchronous remote copy system and storage control method

Inventor(s)

Masamitsu Takahashi, Katsuhiro Okumoto

Assignee(s)

Hitachi Ltd

Patent #

8495014

Patent Date

July 23, 2013