Autonomic Large File Marking for Backup Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost of regularly backing up large files, as multiple copies increase storage costs and users may not be aware of files with limited backup status, leading to unnecessary backup operations.
Innovation Solution
An autonomic method for marking large files with a limited backup status, involving a threshold module to set file size thresholds, an identification module to identify files exceeding these thresholds, and a marking module to mark them for exclusion from subsequent backup operations, thereby reducing storage costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If regular backup operations are performed on large files, then data protection is improved, but storage costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of large files before backup operations and applies marking policies in advance. The threshold module pre-sets size criteria, and the identification module pre-scans files to flag those exceeding thresholds, enabling selective backup exclusion before costly backup operations occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different backup strategies to different files based on their characteristics. Large files exceeding the threshold are marked with limited backup status and excluded from regular backups, while smaller files continue to be backed up normally. This localized differentiation reduces overall storage costs while maintaining protection for critical data.
2Reliability
If multiple backup copies are maintained, then data reliability is improved, but storage costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The marking module applies different backup status to different files. Marked large files are excluded from subsequent backup operations, while unmarked files continue to receive multiple backup copies. This localized quality differentiation maintains reliability for critical data while reducing storage costs for large files.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying full backup operations to all files, the system applies partial backup actions only to files that need protection. The threshold-based identification creates a selective backup approach where only necessary files receive full backup treatment, avoiding excessive storage consumption.
3Quantity of substance
If users manually identify large files for limited backup status, then backup cost control is improved, but user workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service identification of large files through the identification module, which automatically scans and marks files exceeding the threshold without requiring user intervention. The marking module then automatically applies the limited backup status, eliminating the need for users to manually identify and mark files while maintaining cost control.
Solution Approach 2:
The threshold module provides feedback by automatically comparing file sizes against predefined thresholds and triggering marking actions when thresholds are exceeded. This feedback mechanism enables the system to self-regulate backup operations based on file characteristics without requiring continuous user input.
4Device complexity
If files are not marked with limited backup status, then backup simplicity is maintained, but storage costs increase due to unnecessary backup copies
Solution Approach 1:
The identification module performs preliminary scanning of files to identify those exceeding the size threshold before backup operations commence. This pre-identification allows the marking module to apply limited backup status in advance, preventing unnecessary backup copies from being created while maintaining simple backup operations for other files.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed for autonomic large file marking. A threshold module sets the file size threshold. An identification module identifies each file with a file size that exceeds the file size threshold and that is unmarked with a limited backup status. A marking module marks with the limited backup status each identified file that satisfies a marking policy and exceeds the file size threshold and is unmarked for the limited backup status. Each file marked with the limited backup status is backed up with a single backup instance of the file and excluded from subsequent backup operations.