Methods and systems for implementing shared disk array management functions
First Claim
1. A data storage system comprising:
- a redundancy group including a plurality of resources;
two or more array management functions (AMFs) sharing access to the redundancy group, wherein the AMFs provide concurrent access to the redundancy group for associated host systems; and
an interconnect medium for connecting the AMFs with the redundancy group;
wherein when a first one of the AMFs desires to perform an operation on a first resource in the redundancy group, the first AMF arbitrates with the other AMFs sharing access to the redundancy group for a lock on the first resource, whereupon the first AMF performs the operation on the first resource and concurrently sends replication data and state information associated with the first resource to the other AMFs such that if the first AMF fails while performing the operation, one of the other AMFs is able to complete the operation.
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Abstract
Multiple Array Management Functions (AMFs) are connected to multiple redundancy groups over a storage area network (SAN), such as a fiber-channel based SAN. The multiple AMFs share management responsibility of the redundancy groups, each of which typically includes multiple resources spread over multiple disks. The AMFs provide concurrent access to the redundancy groups for associated host systems. When a host requests an AMF to perform an operation on a resource, the AMF synchronizes with the other AMFs sharing control of the redundancy group that includes the resource to be operated on, so as to obtain a lock on the resource. While performing the operation, the AMF send replication data and state information associated with the resource such that if the AMF fails, any of the other AMFs are able to complete the operation and maintain data reliability and coherency.
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Citations
2 Claims
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1. A data storage system comprising:
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a redundancy group including a plurality of resources;
two or more array management functions (AMFs) sharing access to the redundancy group, wherein the AMFs provide concurrent access to the redundancy group for associated host systems; and
an interconnect medium for connecting the AMFs with the redundancy group;
wherein when a first one of the AMFs desires to perform an operation on a first resource in the redundancy group, the first AMF arbitrates with the other AMFs sharing access to the redundancy group for a lock on the first resource, whereupon the first AMF performs the operation on the first resource and concurrently sends replication data and state information associated with the first resource to the other AMFs such that if the first AMF fails while performing the operation, one of the other AMFs is able to complete the operation.
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2-38. -38. (canceled)
Specification