Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Remote data accessing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-02
2001-10-30
Geckil, Mehmet B. (Department: 2152)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Remote data accessing
C709S219000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311213
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to the field of data storage. More particularly, this invention pertains to a method and apparatus that allow the storage of a data set at a source server on a virtual volume, while facilitating the storage of the actual data from the data set at a physical volume at a target server using a server-to-server protocol.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a typical network computing environment, a hierarchy of servers often exists that are networked together. While this hierarchy of servers may be as few as two servers, it can also involve many servers. These servers are often located in physically unique locations. In a network, a server represents the application code (hosted on server computer) that runs on an operating system and a client (hosted on a client computer) represents the code run in any number of different applications that can run on many different operating systems. A client application can interface with the server to backup or archive data on the server machine.
In a network computing environment, copying the data is performed in order to protect the data files from corruption on the local client computer's hard drive, accidental deletion of a file, and other problems. A storage system between the servers on the network can back-up and store the data, and can also manage the data stored in the volumes. In standard networks having a number of levels of interconnected servers, the volumes are typically physical volumes, such as disk drives or tape drives, that are locally attached to each server. These locally attached storage devices must be maintained and managed at each unique location.
This traditional model of a storage system in a computer network has limitations in the fact that it is administratively burdensome to have operators at each server site to maintain the physical volumes. While the cost per megabyte of storing data in physical tape libraries is relatively inexpensive compared to other storage media, the maintenance and administration of tape libraries may be costly. Examples of some administrative tasks would be managing the inventory of tapes within the library including removing full tapes from the library, cleaning drives, adding additional scratch tapes to the library, and other routine maintenance tasks. Reducing the number and locations of physical storage media would reduce both the complexity and cost of this administration and maintenance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved data storage system between servers in a network that substantially eliminates or reduces disadvantages and problems associated with previously developed systems and methods used for network data storage.
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a system for storing data in a computing environment network using virtual volumes, network communications and a server-to-server protocol. The system includes source servers (or local client servers) that have data that needs to be stored. The network also includes target servers at a single physical location (though the target servers could be located at multiple sites) that have locally attached physical storage media. The system uses a server-to-server protocol layered on the network protocol to store the data from the source server on one or more storage volumes at the target server, while also creating a virtual volume for “storing” the data at the source server. The target server and its physical storage appear, due to the creation of a virtual volume for storing the data, in all respects to be a locally attached storage media from the perspective of a client storing data at the source server. The present invention eliminates the requirement for actual physical sequential media attached to the source server.
The present invention provides an important technical advantage by allowing the consolidation and/or sharing of data storage resources.
The present invention provides an important technical advantage by storing data from a source server at both a virtual volume at the source server and a physical volume at a target volume so that to all outward appearances the data is stored in storage media locally attached to the source server.
The present invention provides another technical advantage by improving disaster recovery when a branch office source server and its locally attached physical storage volumes are destroyed or damaged because the backed up data is recoverable from a physical storage volume at the target server.
The present invention provides yet another technical advantage by reducing the amount of maintenance of physical storage media, such as tape libraries, at branch office locations.
The present invention provides another technical advantage by reducing the risk of lost or damaged data and storage devices and easing the maintenance requirements due to storing data at a central location.
The present invention provides the capability for administration of all real physical storage devices at a central location in a network while maintaining the functional characteristics, convenience, and capabilities of locally attached sequential storage media at each source server.
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Dawson Colin Scott
Fruchtman Barry
Husfelt Harry Clayton
Kaczmarski Michael Allen
Warren, Jr. Don Paul
Dan Hubert & Assoc.
Geckil Mehmet B.
International Business Machines - Corporation
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