SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DYNAMICALLY REPLICATING DATA OBJECTS WITHIN A STORAGE NETWORK

• US 20120054155A1
• Filed: 08/31/2010
• Published: 03/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Red Hat, Inc. (International Business Machines Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Red Hat, Inc. (International Business Machines Corporation)
• Inventors: Darcy, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 8,862,542 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/654
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2094 Redundant storage or storage space G06F11/2056 takes precedence

Abstract

Embodiments relate to systems and methods for dynamically replicating data from a primary resource to a secondary resource within a storage network. In particular, a user can select parameters that specify a policy framework. A policy management module can determine one or more attributes associated with resources of the storage network, and enter the one or more attributes into the policy framework to determine a replication policy. The one or more attributes can be determined at any point before or during a replication. The policy management module can then replicate the data according to the replication policy.

Claims

1. A method of replicating data within a storage network, the method comprising:

detecting a data object to be replicated;

detecting a policy framework specifying how the data object is to be replicated;

dynamically determining at least one attribute associated with the storage network based on the policy framework; and

determining a replication policy for the data object based on entering the at least one attribute into the policy framework.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

replicating the data object from a first resource on a second resource according to the replication policy.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first resource and the second resource is instantiated in a cloud-based network.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the second resource is determined based on entering the at least one attribute into the policy framework

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the policy framework is received via a user interface.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one attribute is associated with at least one of the first resource, the second resource, and the data object.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one attribute is based on at least one of a data type, data size, data name, location, security attribute, and data owner.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a notification indicating the replication policy; and

providing the notification to a user.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the policy framework comprises at least one variable.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one attribute is a value for the at least one variable.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the policy framework specifying how the data object is to be replicated comprises:

dynamically determining at least one parameter based on at least one resource of the storage network; and

entering the at least one parameter into the policy framework.

12. A system for replicating data within a storage network, the system comprising:

an interface to a set of resources; and

a processor, communicating with the set of resources via the interface, the processor being configured to detect a data object to be replicated;

detect a policy framework specifying how the data object is to be replicated;

dynamically determine at least one attribute associated with the storage network based on the policy framework; and

determine a replication policy for the data object based on entering the at least one attribute into the policy framework.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to replicate the data object from a first resource on a second resource according to the replication policy.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first resource and the second resource is instantiated in a cloud-based network.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the second resource is determined based on entering the at least one attribute into the policy framework

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the policy framework is received via a user interface.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one attribute is associated with at least one of the first resource, the second resource, and the data object.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one attribute is based on at least one of a data type, data size, data'"'"'name, location, security attribute, and data owner.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to:

generate a notification indicating the replication policy; and

provide the notification to a user.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the policy framework comprises at least one variable.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the at least one attribute is a value for the at least one variable.

22. The system of claim 12, wherein detecting the policy framework specifying hove the data object is to be replicated comprises:

dynamically determining at least one parameter based on at least one resource of the storage network; and

entering the at least one parameter into the policy framework.