Method and system for replication in storage systems

摘要

A data container replication method and system are provided. The data container includes a plurality of entries and is replicated from a source module to a destination module. The data container may be a directory that includes a plurality of files. Before replicating the directory, it is determined if the source module and the destination module use a same directory version and directory layout. If the directory version and layout are the same, then the entire directory is replicated “as is” without evaluating every directory entry. If the directory version or the directory layout is different, then each directory entry is evaluated, before being replicated.

主权项

1. A machine implemented method for replicating a directory having a plurality of entries, comprising:
determining prior to replicating the directory from a logical source volume to a logical destination volume that a source module and a destination module use a same directory version by exchanging directory version information between the source module and the destination module via a replication protocol; wherein the source module and the destination module use the same directory version when object properties defining a directory version of the source module and the destination module are the same; determining that the source module and the destination module use a same layout for storing the plurality of entries, if the source module and the destination module use the same directory version for storing the plurality of entries; wherein the same layout is defined by an order in which each of the plurality of entries are stored by the source module and the destination module; replicating the directory from the source module to the destination module without evaluating and translating the plurality of entries from a version used by the source module to a version used by the destination module, when the source module and the destination module use the same directory version and the same layout for storing the plurality of entries; and evaluating each of the plurality of entries, when the source module and the destination module use a different directory version or a different layout; and before replicating the plurality of entries translating each entry from the version used by the source module to a version used by a replication protocol, and then to the version used by the destination module.