Confirming data consistency in a data storage environment

摘要

A method for confirming replicated data at a data site, including utilizing a hash function, computing a first hash value based on first data at a first data site and utilizing the same hash function, computing a second hash value based on second data at a second data site, wherein the first data had previously been replicated from the first data site to the second data site as the second data. The method also includes comparing the first and second hash values to determine whether the second data is a valid replication of the first data. In additional embodiments, the first data may be modified based on seed data prior to computing the first hash value and the second data may be modified based on the same seed data prior to computing the second hash value. The process can be repeated to increase reliability of the results.

主权项

1. A method for confirming the validity of replicated data at a data storage site, the method comprising:
a) utilizing a hash function in the form of a computer algorithm executable by a computer processor, computing a first hash value based on first data stored on a computer readable storage medium at a first data storage site, the first hash value being in a digital format suitable for transmission over a computer network and being smaller in electronic data transmission size than the first data; b) utilizing the same hash function, computing a second hash value based on second data stored on a computer readable storage medium at a second data storage site remotely connected by a computer network with the first data storage site, the first data having been previously replicated over the computer network from the first data storage site to the second data storage site as the second data, and the second hash value being in a digital format suitable for transmission over a computer network and being smaller in electronic data transmission size than the second data; c) transmitting at least one of the first or second hash values via the computer network for comparing with the other of the first or second hash values; d) digitally comparing the first and second hash values to determine the likelihood as to whether the second data is a valid replication of the first data; e) utilizing a second hash function in the form of a computer algorithm executable by a computer processor, computing a third hash value based on the first data, the third hash value being in a digital format suitable for transmission over a computer network and being smaller in electronic data transmission size than the first data; f) utilizing the second hash function, computing a fourth hash value based on the second data, the fourth hash value being in a digital format suitable for transmission over a computer network and being smaller in electronic data transmission size than the second data; and g) digitally comparing the third and fourth hash values to determine the likelihood as to whether the second data is a valid replication of the first data; wherein a mismatch between the first and second hash values or between the third and fourth hash values indicates that at least one of the first or second data storage sites includes invalid data.