Backup Apparatus Selecting External Storage by Data Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data backup systems that aggregate data from multiple devices into external storage apparatuses do not optimize the connection of these devices, leading to inefficient data transfer and prolonged backup processing times, especially when devices with varying amounts of data are involved.
Innovation Solution
A backup apparatus that selects the most optimal device among multiple communicably connected devices to connect an external storage apparatus based on the amount of backup data and transfer rates, ensuring efficient data aggregation and reduced backup time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If an external storage apparatus is connected to a device with small amount of backup data, then the number of external storage apparatuses is minimized, but the data transfer time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the selection parameter from arbitrary or fixed to dynamic based on data amount. The system calculates the amount of backup data for each device and selects the device with the maximum data amount as the connection target, thereby optimizing the backup process by connecting external storage to the device that can utilize it most effectively.
2Quantity of substance
If data is aggregated from multiple devices into a single external storage apparatus, then storage cost is reduced, but transfer efficiency decreases when not connected to the optimal device
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the connection parameter based on the data amount in each device. By selecting the device with the maximum backup data as the connection target, the system ensures that the external storage apparatus is always connected to the device that can provide the most data transfer efficiency, thereby resolving the contradiction between cost reduction and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A backup apparatus includes a hardware processor that selects one of a plurality of devices, the devices being communicably connected to each other and each including a storage apparatus and a connection I/F to connect to an external storage apparatus, and collectively makes a backup of backup target data held by the plurality of devices into the external storage apparatus connected to the connection I/F of a selected device, wherein the hardware processor selects one of the plurality of devices on a basis of a predetermined selection condition including an amount of data of backup target data held by each of the devices.