Virtualization system for virtualizing disks drives of a disk array system

• US 7,493,466 B2
• Filed: 06/21/2006
• Issued: 02/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Nakayama, Shinichi, Uchiumi, Katsuhiro, Tamura, Keishi
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim; Matt
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, HETUL B
• Application Number:
  US11/471,556
• Publication Number:
  US 20060242363A1
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• Field of Search: 711/112, 711/117, 711/203
• US Class Current: 711/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0607 by facilitating the process of upgrading existing storage systems, e.g. for improving compatibility between host and storage device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0635 by changing the path, e.g. traffic rerouting, path reconfiguration
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0664 at device level, e.g. emulation of a storage device or system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/067 Distributed or networked storage systems, e.g. storage area networks [SAN], network attached storage [NAS]

Abstract

A first storage controller has a multilayer memory hierarchy constructed by LDEV (logical device) connected from LUN, and VDEV (virtual device) connected to the lower order of the LDEV. At least one of the VDEVs is constructed by mapping the memory resources arranged in external storage controllers. The functions of a stripe, RAID, etc. can be added in the mapping. Various kinds of functions (remote copy, variable volume function, etc.) applicable to the normal internal volume can be also used in a virtual internal volume by using the external memory resource as the virtual internal memory resource so that the degree of freedom of utilization is raised.

Claims

1. A virtualization system coupled to a host computer and a disk array system, said disk array system having a plurality of disk drives, said virtualization system comprising:

a first logical unit being assigned a first Logical Unit Number (LUN) and being a target of an access request sent from said host computer;

a virtual logical device being related to said first logical unit;

a logical device being related to said virtual logical device and further being related to a second logical unit of a portion of said disk drives in said disk array system, said second logical unit being assigned a second LUN; and

at least one controller controls to receive data of said access request including said first LUN and controls to transfer said data of said access request to said second logical unit in said disk array system based on a relationship among said first logical unit, said virtual logical device and said logical device.

2. A virtualization system according to claim 1, wherein said controller is able to refer to said relationship among said first logical unit, said virtual logical device and said logical device stored in a memory.

3. A virtualization system according to claim 1, wherein said logical device being related to both said second LUN and a port ID of said disk array system.

4. A virtualization system according to claim 1, wherein said first logical unit being related to a plurality of said logical device.

5. A virtualization system according to claim 1, wherein said controller controls to receive said access request and controls to change said first LUN in said access request to said second LUN based on said relationship and controls to transfer said access request including said second LUN to said disk array system.

6. A virtualization system according to claim 1, wherein said controller controls to copy between said virtual logical device and another virtual logical device.

7. A virtualization system according to claim 1, wherein said controller controls to remote copy between said virtual logical device as a primary volume and another virtual logical device as a secondary volume in another virtualization system.

8. A virtualization system according to claim 1, wherein a size of said virtual logical device is able to be customized.

9. A virtualization system according to claim 1, wherein a size of said virtual logical device is able to be expanded.

10. A virtualization system according to claim 1, wherein said virtual logical device is able to be created by concatenating a plurality of virtual logical device.

11. A virtualization system coupled to a host computer and a disk array system, said disk array system having a plurality of disk drives, said virtualization system comprising:

a logical device being related to a first logical unit of a portion of said disk drives in said disk array system, said first logical unit being assigned a first Logical Unit Number (LUN);

a virtual logical device being related to said logical device and being used to virtualize said logical device;

a second logical unit being assigned a second LUN and being a target of an access request sent from said host computer and being related to said virtual logical device; and

at least one controller controls to receive data of said access request and controls to transfer said data of said access request to said first logical unit in said disk array system based on a mapping information among said logical device, said virtual logical device and said second LUN.

12. A virtualization system according to claim 11, wherein said controller is able to refer to said mapping information among said logical device, said virtual logical device and said second LUN.

13. A virtualization system according to claim 11, wherein said logical device being related to both said first LUN and a port ID of said disk array system.

14. A virtualization system according to claim 11, wherein said second logical unit being related to a plurality of said logical device.

15. A virtualization system according to claim 11, wherein said controller controls to receive said access request and controls to change said second LUN in said access request to said first LUN based on said mapping information and controls to transfer said access request including said first LUN to said disk array system.

16. A virtualization system according to claim 11, wherein said controller controls to copy between said virtual logical device and another virtual logical device.

17. A virtualization system according to claim 11, wherein said controller controls to remote copy between said virtual logical device as a primary volume and another virtual logical device as a secondary volume in another virtualization system.

18. A virtualization system according to claim 11, wherein a size of said virtual logical device is able to be customized.

19. A virtualization system according to claim 11, wherein a size of said virtual logical device is able to be expanded.

20. A virtualization system according to claim 11, wherein said virtual logical device is able to be created by concatenating a plurality of virtual logical device.

21. A virtualization system coupled to a host computer and a disk array system, said disk array system having a plurality of disk drives, said virtualization system comprising:

a logical device being related to a first logical unit of a portion of said disk drives in said disk array system, said first logical unit being assigned a first Logical Unit Number (LUN);

a virtual logical device being related to said logical device and being used to virtual ize said logical device and being related to a second LUN, said second LUN being included in an access request sent from said host computer; and

a controller controls to receive data of said access request and controls to transfer said data of said access request to said first logical unit in said disk array system based on at least relationship between said first LUN and said second LUN.

22. A virtualization system according to claim 21, wherein said controller is able to refer to a relationship among said logical device, said virtual logical device and said second LUN.

23. A virtualization system according to claim 21, wherein said logical device being related to both said first LUN and a port ID of said disk array system.

24. A virtualization system according to claim 21, wherein said second LUN being related to a plurality of said logical device.

25. A virtualization system according to claim 21, wherein said controller controls to receive said access request and controls to change said second LUN in said access request to said first LUN based on said relationship and controls to transfer said access request including said first LUN to said disk array system.

26. A virtualization system according to claim 21, wherein said controller controls to copy between said virtual logical device and another virtual logical device.

27. A virtualization system according to claim 21, wherein said controller controls to remote copy between said virtual logical device as a primary volume and another virtual logical device as a secondary volume in another virtualization system.

28. A virtualization system according to claim 21, wherein a size of said virtual logical device is able to be customized.

29. A virtualization system according to claim 21, wherein a size of said virtual logical device is able to be expanded.

30. A virtualization system according to claim 21, wherein said virtual logical device is able to be created by concatenating a plurality of virtual logical device.

31. A virtualization system coupled to a host computer and a disk array system, said disk array system having a plurality of disk drives, said virtualization system comprising:

a logical storage element being related to a first logical unit of a portion of said disk drives in said disk array system, said first logical unit being assigned a first Logical Unit Number (LUN);

a virtual volume being related to said logical storage element and being related to a second LUN, said second LUN being included in an access request sent from said host computer; and

a controller controls to receive data of said access request and controls to transfer said data of said access request to said first logical unit in said disk array system based on at least mapping information between said first LUN and said second LUN.

32. A virtualization system according to claim 31, wherein said controller is able to refer to a relationship among said logical storage element, said virtual volume and said second LUN.

33. A virtualization system according to claim 31, wherein said logical storage element being related to both said first LUN and a port ID of said disk array system.

34. A virtualization system according to claim 31, wherein said second LUN being related to a plurality of said logical storage element.

35. A virtualization system according to claim 31, wherein said controller controls to receive said access request and controls to change said second LUN in said access request to said first LUN based on said relationship and controls to transfer said access request including said first LUN to said disk array system.

36. A virtualization system according to claim 31, wherein said controller controls to copy between said virtual volume and another virtual volume.

37. A virtualization system according to claim 31, wherein said controller controls to remote copy between said virtual volume as a primary volume and another virtual volume as a secondary volume in another virtualization system.

38. A virtualization system according to claim 31, wherein a size of said virtual volume is able to be customized.

39. A virtualization system according to claim 31, wherein a size of said virtual volume is able to be expanded.

40. A virtualization system according to claim 31, wherein said virtual volume is able to be created by concatenating a plurality of virtual volume.

41. A virtualization system coupled to a host computer and a disk array system, said disk array system having a plurality of disk drives, said virtualization system comprising:

a first logical unit being assigned a first Logical Unit Number (LUN) and being a target of an access request sent from said host computer;

a logical device being related to said first logical unit;

a virtual logical device being related to said logical device and further being related to a plurality of second logical units of a portion of said disk drives in said disk array system, said plurality of second logical units being assigned a plurality of second LUNs; and

at least one controller controls to receive data of said access request including said first LUN and controls to transfer said data of said access request to said second logical units in said disk array system based on a relationship among said first logical unit, said virtual logical device and said logical device.

42. A virtualization system according to claim 41, wherein said controller is able to refer to said relationship among said first logical unit, said virtual logical device and said logical device stored in a memory.

43. A virtualization system according to claim 41, wherein said logical device being related to both said second LUN and a port ID of said disk array system.

44. A virtualization system according to claim 41, wherein said first logical unit being related to a plurality of said logical device.

45. A virtualization system according to claim 41, wherein said controller controls to receive said access request and controls to change said first LUN in said access request to said second LUNs based on said relationship and controls to transfer said access request including said second LUNs to said disk array system.

46. A virtualization system according to claim 41, wherein said controller controls to copy between said virtual logical device and another virtual logical device.

47. A virtualization system according to claim 41, wherein said controller controls to remote copy between said virtual logical device as a primary volume and another virtual logical device as a secondary volume in another virtualization system.

48. A virtualization system according to claim 41, wherein a size of said virtual logical device is able to be customized.

49. A virtualization system according to claim 41, wherein a size of said virtual logical device is able to be expanded.

50. A virtualization system according to claim 41, wherein said virtual logical device is able to be created by concatenating a plurality of virtual logical device.

51. A virtualization system coupled to a host computer and a disk array system, said disk array system having a plurality of disk drives, said virtualization system comprising:

a logical device being related to a first logical unit of a portion of said disk drives in said disk array system, said first logical unit being assigned a first Logical Unit Number (LUN);

a virtual logical device being related to said logical device and being used to virtualize said logical device;

a plurality of second logical units being assigned a plurality of second LUNs and being a target of an access request sent from said host computer and being related to said virtual logical device; and

at least one controller controls to receive data of said access request and controls to transfer said data of said access request to said first logical unit in said disk array system based on mapping information among said logical device, said virtual logical device and said second LUNs.

52. A virtualization system according to claim 51, wherein said controller is able to refer to said mapping information among said logical device, said virtual logical device and said second LUNs.

53. A virtualization system according to claim 51, wherein said logical device being related to both said first LUN and a port ID of said disk array system.

54. A virtualization system according to claim 51, wherein said second logical unit being related to a plurality of said logical devices.

55. A virtualization system according to claim 51, wherein said controller controls to receive said access request and controls to change said second LUNs in said access request to said first LUN based on said mapping information and controls to transfer said access request including said first LUN to said disk array system.

56. A virtualization system according to claim 51, wherein said controller controls to copy between said virtual logical device and another virtual logical device.

57. A virtualization system according to claim 51, wherein said controller controls to remote copy between said virtual logical device as a primary volume and another virtual logical device as a secondary volume in another virtualization system.

58. A virtualization system according to claim 51, wherein a size of said virtual logical device is able to be customized.

59. A virtualization system according to claim 51, wherein a size of said virtual logical device is able to be expanded.

60. A virtualization system according to claim 51, wherein said virtual logical device is able to be created by concatenating a plurality of virtual logical device.

61. A virtualization system coupled to a host computer and a disk array system, said disk array system having a plurality of disk drives, said virtualization system comprising:

a logical device being related to a first logical unit of a portion of said disk drives in said disk array system, said first logical unit being assigned a first Logical Unit Number (LUN);

a virtual logical device being related to said logical device and being used to virtualize said logical device and being related to a plurality of second LUNs, said second LUNs being included in an access request sent from said host computer; and

a controller controls to receive data of said access request and controls to transfer said data of said access request to said first logical unit in said disk array system based on at least relationship between said first LUN and said second LUNs.

62. A virtualization system according to claim 61, wherein said controller is able to refer to a relationship among said logical device, said virtual logical device and said second LUNs.

63. A virtualization system according to claim 61, wherein said logical device being related to both said first LUN and a port ID of said disk array system.

64. A virtualization system according to claim 61, wherein said second LUNs being related to a plurality of said logical device.

65. A virtualization system according to claim 61, wherein said controller controls to receive said access request and controls to change said second LUNs in said access request to said first LUN based on said relationship and controls to transfer said access request including said first LUN to said disk array system.

66. A virtualization system according to claim 61, wherein said controller controls to copy between said virtual logical device and another virtual logical device.

67. A virtualization system according to claim 61, wherein said controller controls to remote copy between said virtual logical device as a primary volume and another virtual logical device as a secondary volume in another virtualization system.

68. A virtualization system according to claim 61, wherein a size of said virtual logical device is able to be customized.

69. A virtualization system according to claim 61, wherein a size of said virtual logical device is able to be expanded.

70. A virtualization system according to claim 61, wherein said virtual logical device is able to be created by concatenating a plurality of virtual logical device.

71. A virtualization system coupled to a host computer and a disk array system, said disk array system having a plurality of disk drives, said virtualization system comprising:

a logical storage element being related to a first logical unit of a portion of said disk drives in said disk array system, said first logical unit being assigned a first Logical Unit Number (LUN);

a virtual volume being related to said logical storage element and being related to a plurality of second LUNs, said second LUNs being included in an access request sent from said host computer; and

a controller controls to receive data of said access request and controls to transfer said data of said access request to said first logical unit in said disk array system based on at least mapping information between said first LUN and said second LUNs.

72. A virtualization system according to claim 71, wherein said controller is able to refer to a relationship among said logical storage element, said virtual volume and said second LUNs.

73. A virtualization system according to claim 71, wherein said logical storage element being related to both said first LUN and a port ID of said disk array system.

74. A virtualization system according to claim 71, wherein said second LUNs being related to a plurality of said logical storage element.

75. A virtualization system according to claim 71, wherein said controller controls to receive said access request and controls to change said second LUNs in said access request to said first LUN based on said relationship and controls to transfer said access request including said first LUN to said disk array system.

76. A virtualization system according to claim 71, wherein said controller controls to copy between said virtual volume and another virtual volume.

77. A virtualization system according to claim 71, wherein said controller controls to remote copy between said virtual volume as a primary volume and another virtual volume as a secondary volume in another virtualization system.

78. A virtualization system according to claim 71, wherein a size of said virtual volume is able to be customized.

79. A virtualization system according to claim 71, wherein a size of said virtual volume is able to be expanded.

80. A virtualization system according to claim 71, wherein said virtual volume is able to be created by concatenating a plurality of virtual volume.