Transferring differences between chunks during replication

Abstract

Techniques and mechanisms described herein facilitate the replication of data between storage nodes. According to various embodiments, a request to provide a data chunk to a target storage node may be received at a source data storage node. A reference data chunk may be identified based on fingerprint information associated with the requested data chunk. The reference data chunk may be stored on the target storage node. The reference data chunk and the requested data chunk may each include a first data portion. Data chunk reconstruction information may be transmitted from the source data storage node to the target data storage node. The data chunk reconstruction information may identify the reference data chunk. The data chunk reconstruction information may include data difference information for constructing the requested data chunk at the target data storage node based on the reference data chunk.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 receiving, at a source data storage node, a request to provide a data chunk to a target storage node;   identifying a reference data chunk based on fingerprint information associated with the requested data chunk, the reference data chunk being stored on the target storage node, the reference data chunk and the requested data chunk each including a first data portion; and   transmitting data chunk reconstruction information from the source data storage node to the target data storage node, the data chunk reconstruction information identifying the reference data chunk, the data chunk reconstruction information including data difference information for constructing the requested data chunk at the target data storage node based on the reference data chunk.