Surviving write errors by using copy-on-write to another system

摘要

In one embodiment, a method may include performing a copy-on-write in response to a write error from a first system, where the copy-on-write copies to a second system. The method may further include receiving a write request at the first system from a third system. The method may additionally include storing the data from the write request in a cache. The method may also include reporting successful execution of the write request. The method may further include writing data from the write request to a drive in the first system. The method may additionally include receiving the write error from the drive. In an additional embodiment, performing the copy-on-write may use the data stored in the cache.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
receiving a network write request at a node, the node having a controller and an array of drives, the network write request being directed towards a virtual volume; at the controller of the node:
in response to the network write request, issuing a local write request to a first drive of the array of drives by mapping the virtual volume to a page of data of the first drive of the array of drives;in response to a write failure notification caused by the write request of data to a first drive:issuing a second local write request to a second drive of the array of drives that performs a copy-on-write, where the copy-on-write copies only the data from the write request to the second drive; andcopying data from the first drive of the array to the second drive of the array such that the first drive can be retired upon all data being from the first drive to the second drive.