Automated File System Backup Tagging for PPDM Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

The current manual process of selecting the optimal data backup approach between host-based and storage-direct methods for file systems is time-consuming, prone to errors, and inefficient, as it requires manual evaluation of various factors.

Innovation Solution

An automated system that analyzes factors such as file system size, physical volume sizes, backup times, and user configurations to determine and implement the most efficient backup mechanism for file systems, either host-based or storage-direct, without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual evaluation is used to select backup mechanism, then user can make informed decision, but process is time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of backup mechanism selectionVSAvoidtime required for manual evaluation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-evaluation by automatically analyzing file system characteristics, storage volume details, and backup requirements to determine the optimal backup mechanism without human intervention. The automated system evaluates multiple factors including file system size, growth rate, and storage configuration to make the selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of evaluation and decision-making is replaced with an automated computational system that uses algorithms to analyze parameters and determine the optimal backup approach. The system substitutes human cognitive processes with automated software-based evaluation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated selection is implemented, then efficiency is improved, but complexity of system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup mechanism selection efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity for automated evaluation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated evaluation system serves multiple functions: it discovers file system details, analyzes storage volume characteristics, evaluates backup requirements, and determines the optimal backup mechanism. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate manual evaluation steps into a single integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an automated evaluation module as an intermediary between the file system assets and the backup mechanism selection. This intermediary automatically processes the complex analysis of multiple parameters and translates them into a recommended backup approach, simplifying the overall process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If deep discovery is performed to read storage volume details, then accurate backup decision can be made, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of storage volume analysisVSAvoiddiscovery and evaluation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary discovery of file system assets and their underlying storage volumes during the initial setup phase. By gathering and caching storage volume details, configuration information, and file system characteristics in advance, the system avoids repeated deep discovery operations when backup decisions need to be made.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20240220372A1System and method to automatically tag file system assets in PPDM with the most optimal backup mechanism for cases where file systems are mounted on storage volumes from a storage array

Publication Date: 2024.07.04 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

One example method includes identifying a data asset for protection, evaluating a configuration of a logical volume group where the data asset is stored, comparing the configuration of the logical volume group with a configuration of a storage array, and based on an outcome of the comparing, selecting a data protection mechanism for the data asset. The data asset may then be tagged with the selected data protection mechanism, and backed up using that selected data protection mechanism.