Patent ID: 8914578
Filing Date: 2014-12-16
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of expanding capacity of a logical volume, comprising: creating a global metadata unit and a plurality of local metadata units, where: the global metadata unit includes a description of the logical volume, a list of the plurality of local metadata units, and ranges of logical blocks of the logical volume corresponding to the plurality of local metadata units; and each of the plurality of local metadata units includes a description of a local RAID set and a range of logical blocks on the local RAID set; creating a new local metadata unit having a description of a new local RAID set to be added to the logical volume and a range of logical blocks on the new local RAID set; adding the new local metadata unit to the global metadata unit to expand the logical volume to incorporate the new local RAID set; and wherein the new local RAID set includes a new disk and at least a disk from a previous RAID set, and wherein the new local RAID set adds capacity to a previously established and utilized logical volume, and creating a second new local metadata unit having a description of a second new local RAID set, wherein the second new local RAID set is created, wherein the second new local RAID set includes the new disk and only a second disk from the previous RAID set.