Patents by Inventor Kouji Arai
Kouji Arai has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7007147Abstract: A storage subsystem that has detected the necessity of the data relocation determines whether the data relocation is possible or not from one storage unit to another within the particular storage subsystem. A virtualization device is notified in the case where the data relocation in the particular subsystem is impossible. The manager of the virtualization device gives an inquiry to the storage subsystems as to whether any one of them can become a relocation destination or not. A storage subsystem determines, based on the related information, whether the data relocation requested is possible or not within the particular storage subsystem. In the case where such a relocation is possible, the copying process is carried out for data relocation from one storage subsystem to another in compliance with an instruction from the virtualization device.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2005Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiaki Eguchi, Hiroshi Arakawa, Yasutomo Yamamoto, Takashige Iwamura, Kouji Arai
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Patent number: 6976140Abstract: In a cluster-structured disk subsystem, when creating a volume for an online backup separately from a volume for a normal I/O, it is desirable to be able to achieve such a creation for any volume under subsystem. Further, with an increase in the capacity of the subsystem, it becomes more difficult for a user to determine where to place a volume to which data is to be copied. Thus, a cluster-structured storage system is provided in which it is possible to reference/renew snapshot control information in shared memory of other clusters and achieve a snapshot between clusters via an inter-cluster connecting mechanism. In this system, control is performed inside/outside the cluster, and a control is performed inside/outside the cluster, and a volume to which data is to be copied is suggested to the user.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2002Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Ai Satoyama, Yasutomo Yamamoto, Takashi Oeda, Kouji Arai
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Publication number: 20050262319Abstract: In a cluster-structured disk subsystem, when creating a volume for an online backup separately from a volume for a normal I/O, it is desirable to be able to achieve such a creation for any volume under subsystem. Further, with an increase in the capacity of the subsystem, it becomes more difficult for a user to determine where to place a volume to which data is to be copied. Thus, a cluster-structured storage system is provided in which it is possible to reference/renew snapshot control information in shared memory of other clusters and achieve a snapshot between clusters via an inter-cluster connecting mechanism. In this system, control is performed inside/outside the cluster, and a control is performed inside/outside the cluster, and a volume to which data is to be copied is suggested to the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2005Publication date: November 24, 2005Inventors: Ai Satoyama, Yasutomo Yamamoto, Takashi Oeda, Kouji Arai
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Publication number: 20050251517Abstract: In an information processing system including a central processor for generating commands to process storage data stored and for executing a sequence processing and a storage subsystem including a plurality of storage media for transferring data between the plural storage media according to commands from the central processor, a data recovery method recovers data to a predetermined state upon occurrence of a failure in a sequence of processing executed by the central processor. Before execution of a sequence of processing, the central processor issues to the storage subsystem a saving request to save in the plural storage media a copy of data stored in either one of the storage media used in the sequence of processing. In response to the saving request, the storage subsystem saves a copy of data of the storage media.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2003Publication date: November 10, 2005Inventors: Haruaki Watanabe, Kenji Yamagami, Kouji Arai
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Publication number: 20050235107Abstract: A method for controlling a storage system including a host computer, and a first and a second storage control apparatuses each receiving a data input/output request from the host computer and executing a data input/output process for a storage device in response to the request, comprises connecting a first communication path between the host computer and the first apparatus; connecting a second communication path between the first apparatus and the second apparatus; receiving by the first apparatus a first data input/output request from the host computer through the first path; when the first apparatus has judged that the first request is not for the first apparatus, transmitting by the first apparatus a second data input/output request corresponding to the first request, to the second apparatus through the second path; and by the second apparatus, receiving the second request and executing a data input/output process corresponding to the second request received.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2005Publication date: October 20, 2005Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Ohno, Kouji Arai, Toshio Nakano, Hideo Tabuchi, Akinobu Shimada, Ai Satoyama, Yasutomo Yamamoto, Yoshiaki Eguchi
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Patent number: 6922763Abstract: The following steps are performed in a storage system: when volumes configuring each volume pair are used by separate applications, storing, for each pair in a memory, an address where updating of data has been made in the volumes as updated-location-managing information; in case a destination-of-restoring copy volume configuring one pair is to be restored to have the contents of a source-for-restoring copy volume belonging to another pair, obtaining, from the memory, pieces of the updated-location-managing information for each of the pairs; generating differential information by merging the pieces of updated-location-managing information obtained, the differential information indicative of a difference in the pieces of updated-location-managing information between the copy volumes; and reproducing the destination-of-restoring copy volume to have the contents of the source-for-restoring copy volume, by copying data designated by the differential information from the source-for-restoring copy volume to the desType: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Susumu Suzuki, Haruaki Watanabe, Kouji Arai
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Publication number: 20050138315Abstract: A storage subsystem that has detected the necessity of the data relocation determines whether the data relocation is possible or not from one storage unit to another within the particular storage subsystem. A virtualization device is notified in the case where the data relocation in the particular subsystem is impossible. The manager of the virtualization device gives an inquiry to the storage subsystems as to whether any one of them can become a relocation destination or not. A storage subsystem determines, based on the related information, whether the data relocation requested is possible or not within the particular storage subsystem. In the case where such a relocation is possible, the copying process is carried out for data relocation from one storage subsystem to another in compliance with an instruction from the virtualization device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2005Publication date: June 23, 2005Inventors: Yoshiaki Eguchi, Hiroshi Arakawa, Yasutomo Yamamoto, Takashige Iwamura, Kouji Arai
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Patent number: 6895483Abstract: A storage subsystem that has detected the necessity of the data relocation determines whether the data relocation is possible or not from one storage unit to another within the particular storage subsystem. A virtualization device is notified in the case where the data relocation in the particular subsystem is impossible. The manager of the virtualization device gives an inquiry to the storage subsystems as to whether any one of them can become a relocation destination or not. A storage subsystem determines, based on the related information, whether the data relocation requested is possible or not within the particular storage subsystem. In the case where such a relocation is possible, the copying process is carried out for data relocation from one storage subsystem to another in compliance with an instruction from the virtualization device.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2002Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiaki Eguchi, Hiroshi Arakawa, Yasutomo Yamamoto, Takashige Iwamura, Kouji Arai
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Publication number: 20050091455Abstract: A volume provider unit in a computer system that detects a logical block address of a read or write I/O accessing a logical volume of a storage device from a host. According to the logical block address fetched, a storage domain of the logical volume is dynamically expanded. Moreover, the storage domain of the logical volume is reduced or expanded according to an instruction of logical volume capacity reduction or expansion from a host commander part to a volume server.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2004Publication date: April 28, 2005Inventors: Yoshiki Kano, Manabu Kitamura, Kouji Arai
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Publication number: 20050071590Abstract: A method of managing a generation of backup data in a storage system is carried out by a storage control device. The backup data is data generated in each of a plurality of pairs originating from one volume. The method includes: receiving, from a host computer, a split request for stopping synchronization between a primary volume and a secondary volume in one of the pairs, and version information about the split; performing a split process in which a backup between the primary volume and the secondary volume of the pair is performed in response to the split request and the synchronization of the pair is stopped; and storing, for each pair, version information of the split process in a predetermined storage section.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2004Publication date: March 31, 2005Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Haruaki Watanabe, Kouji Arai
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Patent number: 6874101Abstract: When receiving a write request from a processor, a control unit checks the condition of existence (or the presence/absence) in a cache for information necessary for generation of an updated value of a parity record, receives write data and reports the completion of the write request to the processor. In asynchronism with the write request from the processor, the control unit performs a load process for that information among the information necessary for generation of the updated value of the parity record which may be prepared in asynchronism with the write request from the processor and a write after process for the updated value of the parity record.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2003Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Akira Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Kitajima, Kouji Arai, Yoshihisa Kamo
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Publication number: 20050050267Abstract: When receiving a write request from a processor, a control unit checks the condition of existence (or the presence/absence) in a cache for information necessary for generation of an updated value of a parity record, receives write data and reports the completion of the write request to the processor. In asynchronism with the write request from the processor, the control unit performs a load process for that information among the information necessary for generation of the updated value of the parity record which may be prepared in asynchronism with the write request from the processor and a write after process for the updated value of the parity record.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2004Publication date: March 3, 2005Inventors: Akira Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Kitajima, Kouji Arai, Yoshihisa Kamo
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Publication number: 20050044104Abstract: A plurality of storages having respective attributes and a method for preserving data is provided in consideration of the attribute (performance or cost) and the operation ratio of the storage and the using frequency of the data in the storage area network. The information processing system of the invention includes a location management unit for managing a location of the data stored in the storage, an information duplication unit for duplicating the data between the storages, and an attribute preservation unit for preserving information for representing the attribute of each storage. The location management unit duplicates and moves the data between the storages by using the information duplication unit, based on the operation ratio of the storage, the access frequency of the data, the control information and the billing information.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2004Publication date: February 24, 2005Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Yasunori Kaneda, Hiroshi Arakawa, Yoshiaki Eguchi, Kazuhiko Mogi, Kouji Arai
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Patent number: 6836819Abstract: A volume provider unit in a computer system that detects a logical block address of a read or write I/O accessing a logical volume of a storage device from a host. According to the logical block address fetched, a storage domain of the logical volume is dynamically expanded. Moreover, the storage domain of the logical volume is reduced or expanded according to an instruction of logical volume capacity reduction or expansion from a host commander part to a volume server.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2004Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiki Kano, Manabu Kitamura, Kouji Arai
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Patent number: 6834289Abstract: A plurality of storages having respective attributes and a method for preserving data is provided in consideration of the attribute (performance or cost) and the operation ratio of the storage and the using frequency of the data in the storage area network. The information processing system of the invention includes a location management unit for managing a location of the data stored in the storage, an information duplication unit for duplicating the data between the storages, and an attribute preservation unit for preserving information for representing the attribute of each storage. The location management unit duplicates and moves the data between the storages by using the information duplication unit, based on the operation ratio of the storage, the access frequency of the data, the control information and the billing information.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2001Date of Patent: December 21, 2004Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Yasunori Kaneda, Hiroshi Arakawa, Yoshiaki Eguchi, Kazuhiko Mogi, Kouji Arai
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Patent number: 6832272Abstract: A clustering storage system capable of operating a plurality of storage system units as a single storage system by connecting the storage system units with one another by means of data connection lines collects access information to the system. The access information is collected in a unit of combination of a logical port receiving an access command from a host computer and a logical volume constituting a unit for management of data. A combination of the logical port and the logical volume having a high frequency of data transfer between the storage system units are detected with reference to the collected access information and the logical port is remapped or the logical volume between the storage system units is remapped.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2001Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Yuusuke Hirakawa, Hiroshi Arakawa, Takashi Oeda, Kouji Arai
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Publication number: 20040236772Abstract: The present invention provides techniques, including a method and system, for relocating data between storage systems. In one embodiment of the present invention a host collects usage information from a plurality of storage systems, and determines the relocation destination LU for data stored in the LU to be relocated. The host alters an LU logical position name table that determines matching between the logical position names of data and LUs. It also carries out data relocation between storage subsystems by shifting data stored in an origin LU to be relocated to a destination LU. In another embodiment relocation of files is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2004Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Arakawa, Kazuhiko Mogi, Yoshiaki Eguchi, Kouji Arai
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Publication number: 20040193945Abstract: A host and a storage system each keep a shared identifier indicating a state of a system. The storage system acquires, at update of data, a data pair including data for a change through processing of the host and data before the update. The storage system relates the data pair to a shared identifier. When the host indicates an identifier, the storage system restores data using the data pair.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2003Publication date: September 30, 2004Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiaki Eguchi, Kazuhiko Mogi, Yasutomo Yamamoto, Takashi Oeda, Kouji Arai
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Publication number: 20040162958Abstract: A volume provider unit in a computer system that detects a logical block address of a read or write I/O accessing a logical volume of a storage device from a host. According to the logical block address fetched, a storage domain of the logical volume is dynamically expanded. Moreover, the storage domain of the logical volume is reduced or expanded according to an instruction of logical volume capacity reduction or expansion from a host commander part to a volume server.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2004Publication date: August 19, 2004Inventors: Yoshiki Kano, Manabu Kitamura, Kouji Arai
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Patent number: 6766430Abstract: The present invention provides techniques, including a method and system, for relocating data between storage systems. In one embodiment of the present invention a host collects usage information from a plurality of storage systems, and determines the relocation destination LU for data stored in the LU to be relocated. The host alters an LU logical position name table that determines matching between the logical position names of data and LUs. It also carries out data relocation between storage subsystems by shifting data stored in an origin LU to be relocated to a destination LU. In another embodiment relocation of files is provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2001Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Arakawa, Kazuhiko Mogi, Yoshiaki Eguchi, Kouji Arai