Patent ID: 8321643
Filing Date: 2012-11-27
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A computer implemented method of autonomously replicating data storage volumes within a storage area network, wherein storage area network devices provide for, at programmed intervals, replication of selected data storage units hosted by the storage area network devices, said method comprising the steps of: scanning, by a computing device, at predetermined intervals, a collection of data storage units visible to a data storage volume manager to identify a set of data storage units internally related as a data storage volume, wherein said step of scanning includes retrieving predetermined metadata signature values persistently stored within the respective data storage units of said collection, said predetermined metadata signature values including a data storage unit identifier, a logical unit identifier, and a data storage volume identifier; identifying, by the computing device, data storage units that have been replicated as those having the logical unit identifier different from the data storage unit identifier, wherein replication of data storage units provides each replicated data storage unit with a new logical unit identifier while the data storage unit identifier is not changed during replication; determining, by the computing device, for the replicated data storage units, revised metadata signature values globally distinct where the data storage unit identifier is changed to be equal to the logical unit identifier; and re-signaturing, by the computing device, said replicated data storage units with said revised metadata signature values, whereby said data storage volume represented by said replicated data storage units can be activated concurrent with the data storage volume of which said replicated data storage units were replicated due to the change of the data storage unit identifier to be different from data storage identifiers of other data storage units.