Storage control system including virtualization and control method for same

• US 7,555,601 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2007
• Issued: 06/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Yamagami, Kenji
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, THAN VINH
• Application Number:
  US11/976,483
• Publication Number:
  US 20080065853A1
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 711/114
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1451 by selection of backup contents
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1458 Management of the backup or restore process
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/0866 for peripheral storage systems, e.g. disk cache
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0605 by facilitating the interaction with a user or administrator
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0608 Saving storage space on storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0631 by allocating resources to storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0632 by initialisation or re-initialisation of storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/067 Distributed or networked storage systems, e.g. storage area networks [SAN], network attached storage [NAS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0689 Disk arrays, e.g. RAID, JBOD

Abstract

A storage control system judges whether the data pattern of data exchanged with a higher-level device (hereafter “data”) conforms to one or a plurality of write-excluded data patterns comprised in write-excluded data pattern information prepared in advance. If a negative judgment result is obtained, the storage control subsystem stores the data in a logical device formed on a disk storage device. If, on the other hand, a positive judgment result is obtained, the storage control subsystem erases the data without storing in a logical device.

Claims

1. A storage control system, comprising:

a storage control device being adapted to manage a plurality of storage pools each comprising a plurality of logical storage devices and being adapted to manage a plurality of storage areas in each of the plurality of storage pools, the plurality of logical storage devices being prepared on one or more RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) groups by management of the storage control device;

wherein the storage control device is adapted to provide a first logical unit, which can be accessed by one of a plurality of external terminals and is associated with a first pool of the plurality of storage pools;

wherein the storage control device is adapted to provide a second logical unit, which can be accessed by one of the plurality of external terminals and is associated with a second pool of the plurality of storage pools;

wherein the storage control device is adapted to receive a first write request directed to the first logical unit, and in response to receiving the first write request, is adapted to allocate, if necessary, a first storage area in the first pool of the plurality of storage pools to the first logical unit identified by the first write request to be able to store data of the first write request, and

wherein the storage control device is adapted to receive a second write request directed to the second logical unit, and in response to receiving the second write request, is adapted to allocate, if necessary, a second storage area in the second pool of the plurality of storage pools to the second logical unit identified by the second write request to be able to store data of the second write request.

2. A storage control system according to claim 1:

wherein the first pool of the plurality of storage pools is associated with a plurality of logical units including the first logical unit.

3. A storage control system according to claim 1:

wherein the first storage area, to be allocated to the first logical unit, is acquired from the plurality of logical storage devices in the first pool of the plurality of storage pools.

4. A storage control system according to claim 1:

wherein, when the first storage area in the first pool of the plurality of storage pools is allocated to the first logical unit, the first pool of the plurality of storage pools is identified from the plurality of storage poois by using identification information of the first pool of the plurality of storage pools.

5. A storage control system according to claim 1:

wherein, if the first storage area in the first pool of the plurality of storage pools is allocated to the first logical unit, the storage control device is adapted to refer to a first management information associating the first logical unit with the first pool of the plurality of storage pools.

6. A storage control system according to claim 1:

wherein, if the first storage area in the first pool of the plurality of storage pools is allocated to the first logical unit, the storage control device is adapted to refer to a second management information relating the first pool of the plurality of storage pools to the plurality of storage areas in the first pool of the plurality of storage pools.

7. A storage control system according to claim 1:

wherein the first storage area in the first pool of the plurality of storage pools is acquired from a plurality of empty storage areas of the plurality of logical storage devices in the first pool of the plurality of storage pools.

8. A storage control system according to claim 1:

wherein the storage control device is adapted to execute a plurality of processes including a first process according to which a first plurality of logical storage devices are added in the first pool of the plurality of storage pools, a second process according to which the first logical unit is defined, and a third process according to which the first logical unit is associated with the first pool of the plurality of storage pools.

9. A storage control system according to claim 1:

wherein the storage control device is adapted to registers a first management information, associating the first logical unit with the first pool of the plurality of storage pools, after performing a plurality of processes including a first process according to which the first pool of the plurality of storage pools is created, a second process according to which a first plurality of logical storage devices are added in the first pool of the plurality of storage pools, a third process according to which the first logical unit is defined, and a fourth process according to which the first logical unit is associated with the first pool of the plurality of storage pools.

10. A storage control system, comprising:

a storage control device being adapted to manage a first virtual logical unit and a second virtual logical unit, which are adapted to be accessed by at least one external terminal, and being adapted to manage a first storage pool comprising a first plurality of logical storage devices provided with one or more RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) groups by management of the storage control device, and also being adapted to manage a second storage pool comprising a second plurality of logical storage devices, wherein an association is formed between the first virtual logical unit and the first storage pool, and an association is formed between the second virtual logical unit and the second storage pool;

wherein, if necessary, the storage control device is adapted to allocate, in response to a write request received from the at least one external terminal that specifies the first virtual logical unit, a first logical storage area in the first storage pool of the first and second logical pools to a first virtual storage area of the first virtual logical unit, specified by the write request, to be able to store data of the write request to the allocated first logical storage area.

11. A storage control system according to claim 10:

wherein the storage control device is adapted to store the data of the write request to the allocated first logical storage area.

12. A storage control system according to claim 10:

wherein, when the first logical storage area is allocated to the first virtual storage area of the first virtual logical unit, the first storage pool comprising the first logical storage area is selected from the first and second storage pools by using identification information of the first storage pool.

13. A storage control system according to claim 10:

wherein, if the first logical storage area is allocated to the first virtual storage area of the first virtual logical unit, the storage control device is adapted to refer to a first management information associating the first virtual logical unit with the first storage pool.

14. A storage control system according to claim 10:

wherein, if the first logical storage area is allocated to the first virtual storage area of the first virtual logical unit, the storage control device is adapted to refer to a second management information relating the first storage pool to a plurality of logical storage areas including the first logical storage area.

15. A storage control system according to claim 10:

wherein the storage control device is adapted to execute a plurality of processes including a first process according to which the first plurality of logical storage devices are added into the first storage pool, a second process according to which the first virtual logical unit is defined, and a third process according to which the first virtual logical unit is associated with the first storage pool.

16. A storage control system according to claim 10:

wherein the storage control device is adapted to register a first management information, associating the first virtual logical unit with the first storage pool, after a plurality of processes including a first process according to which the first storage pool is created, a second process according to which the first plurality of logical storage devices are added in the first storage pool, a third process according to which the first virtual logical unit is defined, and a fourth process according to which the first virtual logical unit is associated with the first storage pool.

17. A computer program stored in a computer readable storage medium and implemented in a storage control device, the computer program comprising:

code for managing a first storage pool comprising a first plurality of logical storage devices prepared on one or more RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) groups and a second storage pool comprising a second plurality of logical storage devices;

code for associating a first logical unit, which can be accessed by one of a plurality of external terminals, with the first storage pool;

code for associating a second logical unit, which can be accessed by one of the plurality of external terminals, with the second storage pool;

code for allocating, if necessary, after receiving a first write request directed to the first logical unit, a first storage area acquired from the first storage pool to the first logical unit that is identified by the first write request to be able to store data of the first write request; and

code for allocating, if necessary, after receiving a second write request directed to the second logical unit, a second storage area acquired from the second storage pool to the second logical unit that is identified by the second write request to be able to store data of the second write request.

18. A computer program according to claim 17:

wherein the first storage area is selected from the first plurality of logical storage devices in the associated first storage pool.

19. A computer program according to claim 17:

wherein the code for allocating the first storage area includes code for identifying the first storage pool from the first and second storage pools by using identification information of the first storage pool.

20. A computer program according to claim 17:

wherein the code for allocating the first storage area includes code for referring to a first management information associating the first logical unit with the first storage pool.

21. A computer program according to claim 17:

wherein the code for allocating the first storage area includes code for referring to a second management information relating the first storage pool to a plurality of storage areas including the first storage area.

22. A computer program according to claim 17:

wherein the first storage area is acquired from a plurality of storage areas of the first plurality of logical storage devices in the associated first storage pool.

23. A computer program according to claim 17 further comprising:

code for executing a plurality of processes including a first process according to which the first plurality of logical storage devices are added in the first storage pool, a second process according to which the first logical unit is defined, and a third process according to which the first logical unit is associated with the first storage pool.

24. A computer program according to claim 17 further comprising:

code for registering a first management information, associating the first logical unit with the first storage pool, after a plurality of processes including a first process according to which the first storage pool is created, a second process according to which the first plurality of logical storage devices are added in the first storage pool, a third process according to which the first logical unit is defined, and a fourth process according to which the first logical unit is associated with the first storage pool.

25. A method for a storage control device comprising:

a step for managing a first storage pool comprising a first plurality of logical storage devices prepared on one or more RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) groups, and for managing a second storage pool comprising a second plurality of logical storage devices;

a step for associating a first logical unit, which can be accessed by one of a plurality of external terminals, with the first storage pool;

a step for associating a second logical unit, which can be accessed by one of a plurality of external terminals, with the second storage pool; and

a step for allocating, if necessary, in response to receiving a first write request directed to the first logical unit, a first storage area acquired from the associated first storage pool to the first logical unit that is identified by the first write request to be able to store data of the first write request; and

a step for allocating, if necessary, in response to receiving a second write request directed to the second logical unit, a second storaoe area acquired from the associated second storage pool to the second logical unit that is identified by the second write request to be able to store data of the second write request.

26. A method for a storage control device according to claim 25:

wherein the first storage area is selected from the first plurality of logical storage devices in the associated first storage pool.

27. A method for a storage control device according to claim 25:

wherein the step for allocating the first storage area includes a step for identifying the associated first storage pool from the first and second storage pools by using identification information of the associated first storage pool.

28. A method for a storage control device according to claim 25:

wherein the step for allocating the first storage area includes a step for referring to a first management information associating the first logical unit with the first storage pool.

29. A method for a storage control device according to claim 25:

wherein the step for allocating the first storage area includes a step for referring to a second management information relating the associated first storage pool to a plurality of storage areas including the first storage area.

30. A method for a storage control device according to claim 25:

wherein the first storage area is acquired from a plurality of storage areas of the first plurality of logical storage devices in the associated first storage pool.

31. A method for a storage control device according to claim 25 further comprising:

a step for executing a plurality of processes including a first process according to which the first plurality of logical storage devices are added in the first storage pool, a second process according to which the first logical unit is defined, and a third process according to which first logical unit is associated with the first storage pool.

32. A method for a storage control device according to claim 25 further comprising:

a step for registering a first management information, associating the first logical unit with the first storage pool, after performing a plurality of processes including a first process according to which the first storage pool is created, a second process according to which the first plurality of logical storage devices are added in the first storage pool, a third process according to which the first logical unit is defined, and a fourth process according to which the first logical unit is associated with the first storage pool.

33. A storage control system, comprising:

a storage control device being adapted to manage a plurality of storage pools each comprising a plurality of logical storage devices and being adapted to manage a plurality of storage areas in each of the plurality of storage pools, the plurality of logical storage devices being prepared on one or more RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) groups by management of the storage control device;

wherein the storage control device is adapted to provide a first logical unit, which can be accessed by one of a plurality of external terminals;

wherein the storage control device is adapted to provide a second logical unit, which can be accessed by one of a plurality of external terminals;

wherein an association is formed between the first logical unit and a first storage pool of the plurality of storage pools and an association is formed between the second logical unit and a second storage pool of the plurality of storage pools;

wherein the storage control device is adapted to receive a first write request directed to the first logical unit, and in response to receiving the first write request, is adapted to allocate a first storage area in the first pool of the plurality of storage pools to the first logical unit identified by the first write request to be able to store data of the first write request; and

wherein the storage control device is adapted to receive a second write request directed to the second logical unit, and in response to receiving the second write request, is adapted to allocate a second storage area in the second pool of the plurality of storage pools to the second logical unit identified by the second write request to be able to store data of the second write request.

34. A storage control system according to claim 33:

wherein the first pool of the plurality of storage pools is associated with a plurality of logical units including the first logical unit.

35. A storage control system according to claim 33:

wherein the first storage area, to be allocated to the first logical unit, is acquired from the plurality of logical storage devices in the first pool of the plurality of storage pools.

36. A storage control system according to claim 33:

wherein, when the first storage area in the first pool of the plurality of storage pools is allocated to the first logical unit, the first pool of the plurality of storage pools is identified from the plurality of storage pools by using identification information of the first pool of the plurality of storage pools.

37. A storage control system according to claim 33:

wherein, if the first storage area in the first pool of the plurality of storage pools is allocated to the first logical unit, the storage control device is adapted to refer to a first management information associating the first logical unit with the first pool of the plurality of storage pools.

38. A storage control system according to claim 33:

wherein, if the first storage area in the first pool of the plurality of storage pools is allocated to the first logical unit, the storage control device is adapted to refer to a second management information relating the first pool of the plurality of storage pools to the plurality of storage areas in the first pool of the plurality of storage pools.

39. A storage control system according to claim 33:

wherein the first storage area in the first pool of the plurality of storage pools is acquired from a plurality of empty storage areas of the plurality of logical storage devices in the first pool of the plurality of storage pools.

40. A storage control system according to claim 33:

wherein the storage control device is adapted to execute a plurality of processes including a first process according to which a first plurality of logical storage devices are added in the first pool of the plurality of storage pools, a second process according to which the first logical unit is defined, and a third process according to which the first logical unit is associated with the first pool of the plurality of storage pools.

41. A storage control system according to claim 33:

wherein the storage control device is adapted to registers a first management information, associating the first logical unit with the first pool of the plurality of storage pools, after performing a plurality of processes including a first process according to which the first pool of the plurality of storage pools is created, a second process according to which a first plurality of logical storage devices are added in the first pool of the plurality of storage pools, a third process according to which the first logical unit is defined, and a fourth process according to which the first logical unit is associated with the first pool of the plurality of storage pools.