Backup Application Synchronizes Cloning via File Recovery Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

The two-step backup process for relational databases is tedious and prone to failures due to unsynchronized backup and cloning schedules, leading to incomplete or delayed creation of clone copies of backup files.

Innovation Solution

A backup application synchronizes backup and cloning schedules by determining if a backup file is stored in the file recovery area and creating a clone copy as soon as the backup file is stored, ensuring timely and successful cloning to an external destination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a two-step backup process is used with separate backup and cloning schedules, then the backup and cloning operations can be independently configured, but the process becomes tedious and prone to failures due to unsynchronized schedules

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIndependent configuration of backup and cloning schedulesVSAvoidAdministrative complexity and error-proneness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the backup and cloning schedules into a unified scheduling mechanism. The system automatically coordinates the cloning operation with the backup schedule, eliminating the need for separate independent configuration while maintaining the ability to customize backup timing. This resolves the contradiction by combining the scheduling functions to reduce administrative complexity while preserving configurability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service by automatically detecting when backup files are stored in the file recovery area and triggering cloning operations without requiring manual intervention. The backup application monitors the file system directory and autonomously coordinates cloning timing, reducing the tedious administrative burden while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual scheduling of cloning operations is used, then flexibility in timing is provided, but the process is tedious and failure-prone due to lack of synchronization

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveScheduling flexibilityVSAvoidClone copy creation success rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the file recovery area for newly stored backup files and automatically triggering cloning operations when backup completion is detected. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable synchronization between backup and cloning operations while maintaining scheduling flexibility, as the system adapts to actual backup completion times rather than relying on fixed manual schedules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by preparing the cloning mechanism in advance and automatically activating it when backup files are available in the file recovery area. This ensures that cloning operations are ready to execute immediately when backup completes, improving reliability by eliminating delays and coordination failures associated with manual scheduling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If backup files are stored in a file system directory before cloning, then the backup process is simplified, but clone copies may be incomplete or delayed if cloning is not synchronized

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveBackup process simplicityVSAvoidClone copy completeness and timeliness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - the file recovery area monitoring system - that acts as a bridge between the backup file storage and cloning operations. This intermediary automatically detects when backup files are complete in the file system directory and triggers cloning only when ready, maintaining the simplicity of storing files in a directory while ensuring clone copy completeness and timeliness through automated synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual coordination mechanics with an automated electronic monitoring and triggering mechanism. Instead of requiring manual verification that backup files are ready before cloning, the system uses automated file system monitoring to detect backup completion and trigger cloning operations, maintaining simplicity while improving precision of clone copy creation timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10860540B1Method and system for synchronizing backup and cloning schedules

Publication Date: 2020.12.08 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

Synchronizing backup and cloning schedules is described. A determination is made whether any session is running disk backup. A determination is made whether a backup file is stored in a file recovery area if no session is running disk backup. A determination is made whether a successful clone copy was created of the backup file if the backup file is stored in the file recovery area. A clone copy of the backup file is created if the successful clone copy was created of the backup file. The clone copy is stored on an external destination node.