Predictive algorithm for load balancing data transfers across components

A backup component, comprising:

• means for initially assigning to each of a plurality of local backup components one or more of a plurality of data volumes of a first block of transactions from at least one local primary component, each of the transactions associated with one of the plurality of data volumes, each of the transactions of the first block to be transmitted to the local backup component to which the associated volume is assigned and further to be copied the local backup component to a corresponding remote backup component;
• means for determining the amount of data received by each local backup component from the corresponding local primary component during a predetermined period;
• and
• means for re-assigning to each of the plurality of local backup components one or more of the plurality of data volumes in response to the amount of data received by each local backup component.

A first local backup component, comprising:

• means for receiving a plurality of data transactions of a first block of transactions for a predetermined period from at least one local primary component, each transaction being associated with one of a plurality of data volumes assigned to the first local backup component;
• means for copying the data transactions from the first local backup component to the first remote backup component;
• means for tracking the amount of data received by the first local backup component and other local backup component to which other volumes were assigned, the data being copied from the other local backup components to corresponding remote backup components;
• means for re-assigning to the first local backup component one or more of the plurality of data volumes in response to the amount of data received for each assigned volume by each local backup component;
• and
• means for receiving a plurality of data transactions of a second block of transactions from at least one local primary component, each transaction being associated with one of the plurality of volumes re-assigned to the first local backup component.

A computer program product of a computer readable medium usable with a programmable computer, the computer program product having computer-readable code embodied therein for balancing loads of backup components in a data storage system having a plurality of local primary components each coupled to a corresponding local data backup component, the computer-readable code comprising instructions for:

• initially assigning to each of the plurality of local backup components one or more of a plurality of data volumes of a first block of transactions from at least one local primary component, each of the transactions associated with one of the plurality of data volumes;
• transmitting a plurality of data transactions of a first block of transactions from at least one local primary component to the local backup component to which the associated volume is assigned;
• copying the data transactions from each local backup component to corresponding remote backup components;
• continuing transmitting and copying transactions or the first block for a predetermined period;
• determining the amount of data received by each local backup component during the predetermined period;
• re-assigning to each of the plurality of local backup components one or more of the plurality of data volumes in response to the amount of data received by each backup component;
• and
• transaction a plurality of data transactions of a second block of transactions from at least one local primary component, each of the transmitted transactions of the second block being transmitted to the local backup component to which the associated volume is re-assigned and copied to the corresponding remote backup component.