Intelligent replication method

• US 6,973,464 B1
• Filed: 07/16/2002
• Issued: 12/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Micro Focus Software, Inc. (Open Text Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Novell Incorporated (Open Text Corporation)
• Inventors: Gao, Changju
• Primary Examiner(s): Wassum, Luke S.
• Application Number:
  US10/198,725
• Time in Patent Office: 1,239 Days
• Field of Search: 707/201
• US Class Current: 707/634
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/184 implemented as replicated file system
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99952 Coherency, e.g. same view to multiple users

Abstract

A replication method supports file replication across a plurality of file servers by tracking the changes to the local volume on the storage system. Each change is then ranked according to a number of criteria. Each criterion is weighted, and an overall ranking is determined for each change. The changes are then ordered according to their ranks, and each change is transmitted to remote storage systems for remote duplication of the change.

Claims

1. A method for replicating multiple activities across at least first and second storage systems, where the first and second storage systems are stored on computers connected by a network, the method comprising:

receiving the activities from the first storage system;

uniquely ranking the activities according to a criterion;

ordering the activities into an activity order for replication according to the unique activity rankings, including;

assigning weights to multiple criteria, the criteria including the length of the activities, the likelihood of the activities being modified later, and the likelihood of the activities being accessed; and

using the criteria, the criteria weight, and properties of the activities to determine the activity order; and

sending the activities in the activity order to the second storage system over the network.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising updating the activities order as new activities are received from the first storage system.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein receiving the activities includes tracking the activities on the first storage system.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the activities include data changes on the first storage system.

5. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

receiving the activities from the second storage system over the network; and

performing the activities on the first storage system.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the activities include data changes on the second storage system.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein ranking the activities according to a criterion includes ranking the activities according to a plurality of criteria.

8. A computer-readable medium containing a program implementing an algorithm for file replication among a plurality of storage systems stored on computers connected by a network, the program comprising:

reception software to receive activities at a first storage system;

uniquely ranking software to rank the activities according to a plurality of criteria;

ordering software to order the activities into an activity order for replication according to the unique activity rankings, including;

means for assigning weights to multiple criteria, the criteria including the length of the activities, the likelihood of the activities being modified later, and the likelihood of the activities being accessed; and

a formula that uses the criteria, the criteria weight, and properties of the activities to determine the activity order; and

communications software to send the activities in the activity order to a second storage system over the network.

9. A program according to claim 8 wherein the ordering software includes:

links between criteria weights and the criteria; and

a formula that uses the criteria, the criteria weights, and properties of the activities to determine the activity order.

10. A program according to claim 8 wherein the reception software includes tracking software to track the activities on the first storage system.

11. A program according to claim 8 further comprising updating software to update the activities order as new activities are received from the first storage system.

12. A system for file replication among a plurality of storage systems stored on computers connected by a network, the system comprising:

a reception unit in a first storage system to receive activities;

a unique ranking unit in the first storage system to rank the activities according to multiple criteria;

an ordering unit in the first storage system to order the activities into an activity order for replication according to the unique activity rankings, the ordering unit operative to assigning weights to multiple criteria the criteria including the length of the activities, the likelihood of the activities being modified later, and the likelihood of the activities being accessed; and

to use the criteria, the criteria weight, and properties of the activities to determine the activity order; and

a communications unit to transmit the activities in the activity order to a second storage system over the network.

13. A system according to claim 12 wherein the ordering software includes:

means for assigning weights to the criteria; and

a formula that uses the criteria, the criteria weight, and properties of the activities to determine the activity order.

14. A system according to claim 13 wherein the means for assigning weights to the criteria includes links between the weights and the criteria.

15. A system according to claim 12 wherein the reception unit includes a tracking unit to track the activities on the first storage system.

16. A system according to claim 12 further comprising an updating unit to update the activities order as new activities are received from the first storage system.

17. A method for replicating multiple activities across at least first and second storage systems, where the first and second storage systems are stored on computers connected by a network, the method comprising:

receiving the activities from the first storage system;

ranking the activities according to a criterion;

ordering the activities into an activity order for replication according to the activity rankings, including;

assigning weights to multiple criteria, the criteria including the length of the activities, the likelihood of the activities being modified later, and the likelihood of the activities being accessed; and

using the criteria, the criteria weight, and properties of the activities to determine the activity order;

sending the activities in the activity order to the second storage system over the network;

reordering the activities as the new activities are received from the first storage system.