Automated relocation of in-use multi-site protected data storage

A system to provide access to data, the system comprising:

• a storage grid having a source chain of storage nodes and a target chain of storage nodes, the source chain including a primary source node and a secondary source node which operates as a data mirror of the primary source node, and the target chain including a primary target node and a secondary target node which operates as a data mirror of the primary target node;
• a relocation circuit coupled to the source chain of storage nodes and the target chain of storage nodes, the relocation circuit being constructed and arranged to:
• direct initial storage of data on the source chain, the primary source node of the source chain maintaining a primary source copy of the data, and the secondary source node of the source chain maintaining a secondary source copy of the data, and
• direct relocation of the data from the source chain to the target chain, the primary target node of the target chain maintaining a primary target copy of the data, and the secondary target node of the target chain maintaining a secondary target copy of the data, access to the data being continuously provided from the storage grid to an external device before, during, and after relocation of the data from the source chain to the target chain.

A computer program product having a non-transitory computer readable storage medium which stores code thereon, the code when executed by a computer causing the computer to provide access to data, the code including:

• instructions to direct operation of a storage grid which includes a source chain of storage nodes and a target chain of storage nodes, the source chain including a primary source node and a secondary source node which operates as a data mirror of the primary source node, and the target chain including a primary target node and a secondary target node which operates as a data mirror of the primary target node;
• instructions to direct initial storage of the data on the source chain, the primary source node of the source chain maintaining a primary source copy of the data, and the secondary source node of the source chain maintaining a secondary source copy of the data;
• and
• instructions to direct relocation of the data from the source chain to the target chain, the primary target node of the target chain maintaining a primary target copy of the data, and the secondary target node of the target chain maintaining a secondary target copy of the data, access to the data being continuously provided from the storage grid to an external device before, during, and after relocation of the data from the source chain to the target chain.