Pure Storage, Inc.

Jianting Cao

Christopher Golden

John Martin Hayes

Cary A Sandvig

David A Grunwald

John Colgrove

Ethan L Miller

Scott Alexander Smith

Grigori Inozemtsev

Luke Paulsen

Martin Harriman

Steve Hodgson

Malcolm Sharpe

Wentian Cui

Qi Zhou

Neil A Vachharajani

Ricardo Gonzalez

Scott Smith

Optimizing copy operations in a storage array, includes combining, in dependence upon a metadata optimization policy, a plurality of copy operations into a single copy operation and splitting the single copy operation into an optimized set of executable copy operations that copy data based on memory alignment.

Combining memory aligned operations

A system and method comprising: receiving a request to write data stored at a first range of a first volume to a second range of a second volume, where first metadata for the first range of the first volume is associated with a range of physical addresses where the data is stored in the storage system; and responsive to receiving the request: creating second metadata for the second range of the second volume, wherein the second metadata is associated with the range of physical addresses where the data is stored in the storage system; and associating the second volume with the second metadata.

Lightweight copying of data using metadata references

Converting data formats in a storage system: converting first data in a first format to second data in a second format, wherein second data in the second format includes a reference to the first data, wherein the first data and the second data are associated with a dataset, including updating the second data to include: a reference to first data associated with a portion of the dataset that precedes a data-converted portion of the dataset; second data associated with the data-converted portion of the dataset, wherein the second data associated with the data-converted portion of the dataset is in the second data format; and a reference to first data associated with a portion of the dataset that follows the data-converted portion of the dataset; and replacing first data associated with the data-converted portion of the dataset with a reference to the second data associated with the data-converted portion of the dataset.

Converting data formats in a storage system

A method including, responsive to receiving a request identifying a volume and indicating a command to take a snapshot of the volume, mapping a second logical grouping of data to reference the first logical grouping of data, and remapping the first volume to map to the second logical grouping of data instead of the first logical grouping of data such that the first volume remains addressable with similar access permissions before and after creating the snapshot. The method also includes, in response to receiving a write request targeting the second logical grouping, splitting the second logical grouping into a plurality of ranges including a first range and a second range; wherein the first range of the second logical grouping maps to the first logical grouping, and the write request is performed on the second range of the second logical grouping.

Generating volume snapshots

Memory aligned copy operation execution

Writing data using references to previously stored data

Attributing consumed storage capacity among entities storing data in a storage array includes: identifying a data object stored in the storage array and shared by a plurality of entities, where the data object occupies an amount of storage capacity of the storage array; and attributing to each entity a fractional portion of the amount of storage capacity occupied by the data object.

Tracking storage consumption in a storage array

A system and method for exposing volumes with underlying read-write mediums to user operations. When a medium is in the process of being migrated to a storage array, a volume which relies on the medium can be exposed to user operations (e.g., snapshots, read and write operations) once the portions of the medium which underlie the volume have been migrated. The volume can be exposed to user operations while one or more other portions of the medium are unfilled and while the medium is in an intermediate read-write state.

Enabling access to a partially migrated dataset

Optimizing copy operations in a storage array, including: receiving a plurality of copy operations; detecting a triggering event that causes a storage array controller to initiate execution of the plurality of copy operations; and combining, in dependence upon a metadata optimization policy, the plurality of copy operations into a single copy operation.

Efficient copying of data in a storage system

Performing a non-disruptive upgrade of data in a storage system that includes a plurality of storage devices and a storage controller, including: creating new data in a new data format, wherein the new data includes a reference to old data in an old data format, wherein system software in the storage system can utilize data in the new data format and the old data format; determining that a portion of the volume has changed; and responsive to determining that the portion of the volume has changed, updating the new data to include a reference to old data associated with a portion of the volume that precedes the changed portion of the volume, new data associated with the changed portion of the volume, and a reference to old data associated with a portion of the volume that follows the changed portion of the volume.

Upgrading data in a storage system using background processes

A system and method for performing copy offload operations. When a copy offload operation from a first volume (pointing to a first medium) to a second volume (pointing to a second medium) is requested, the copy offload operation is performed without accessing the data being copied. A third medium is created, and the first medium is recorded as the underlying medium of the third medium. The first volume is re-pointed to the third medium. Also, a fourth medium is created, the second volume is re-pointed to the fourth medium, and the second medium is recorded as the underlying medium of the targeted range of the fourth medium. All other ranges of the fourth medium have the second medium as their underlying medium.

Copying data without accessing the data

A system and method for exposing volumes with underlying read-write mediums to user operations. When a medium is in the process of being replicated to a storage array, a volume which relies on the medium can be exposed to user operations (e.g., snapshots, read and write operations) once the portions of the medium which underlie the volume have been replicated. The volume can be exposed to user operations while one or more other portions of the medium are unfilled and while the medium is in an intermediate read-write state.

Growing community of inventors

Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Jianting Cao