Method for defragmenting of virtual volumes in a storage area network (SAN)
AssigneeSanrad, Ltd.
InventorShaul Gal-Oz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A defragmentation method and system to overcome fragmentation of virtual volumes in storage area networks (SANs). The method includes combining and migrating fragments of data spread over multiple storage areas in order to increase storage space utilization and optimize access time to storage. By defragmenting virtual volumes both performance and storage utilization is significantly improved.
Claims26
A method for storage optimization by de-fragmenting virtual volumes of a storage area network (SAN), comprising the steps of:
- collecting statistics regarding a performance of each of a plurality of virtual volumes;
- determining which of the plurality of virtual volumes in the SAN to optimize;
- assessing a de-fragment policy for the virtual volume to be optimized by:
- determining, using a mapping table, data fragments in each logical unit to be migrated;
- determining, using the mapping table, data fragments in each LU in the virtual volume to be combined;
- and
- determining, using the mapping table data fragments in each LU in the virtual volume that cannot be altered;
- determining for each virtual volume to be optimized, a new target location for one or more logical units in the virtual volume;
- and
- transferring data blocks of the one or more logical units to the new target location.
A computer readable storage medium for storing a code executed by a computer, said code enabling data storage optimization by de-fragmenting virtual volumes of a storage area network, and performing the steps of:
- collecting statistics regarding to a performance of each of the virtual volumes;
- determining which of the virtual volumes in the SAN to optimize;
- assessing a de-fragment policy for the virtual volume to be optimized by:
- determining, using a mapping table, data fragments in each logical unit to be migrated;
- determining, using the mapping table, data fragments in each LU in the virtual volume to be combined;
- and
- determining, using the mapping table data fragments in each LU in the virtual volume that cannot be altered;
- determining for each virtual volume to be optimized a new target location for each logical unit in the virtual volume;
- and
- transferring data blocks of the logical unit to the new target location.
A virtualization switch in combination with a storage area network and capable of optimization virtual volumes in the storage area network, the virtualization switch comprising:
- software instructions
- a memory for maintaining at least a mapping table;
- a storage communication means for communicating with a plurality of physical storage devices;
- a network communication means for communicating with a plurality of hosts over a network;
- and
- a processor for executing said software instructions adapted to enable the virtualization switch to perform the operations of:
- collecting statistics regarding to a performance of each of the virtual volumes;
- determining which of the virtual volumes in the storage area network to be optimized;
- assessing a de-fragment policy for the virtual volume to be optimized by:
- determining, using a mapping table, data fragments in each logical unit to be migrated;
- determining, using the mapping table, data fragments in each LU in the virtual volume to be combined;
- and
- determining, using the mapping table data fragments in each LU in the virtual volume that cannot be altered;
- determining for each virtual volume to be optimized a new target location for each logical unit logical unit in the virtual volume;
- and
- transferring data blocks of the logical unit to the new target location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.