Backup Catalog Generation via MFT Difference Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data backup methods, especially disk-level backups, face high computing resource loads when building a list of changed files for a data catalog, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for extensive data processing and storage.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that compares Master File Tables (MFTs) of current and previous backups to identify differences, generating a data catalog by saving these differences, thereby reducing the computational load and storage requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disk-level backup is performed by copying entire hard drive content, then complete data archiving is achieved, but the archiving process becomes lengthy and requires large available space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the changed files and their metadata from the backup set to create the data catalog, rather than processing the entire backup. This is achieved by comparing MFT entries between backups and identifying only the differences (added, modified, or deleted files), thereby significantly reducing the time required to build the catalog while maintaining complete tracking of archived data.
2Reliability
If disk-level backup is performed by copying entire hard drive content, then complete data archiving is achieved, but large available space is required for archived data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential metadata information (file names, paths, timestamps, sizes) needed for cataloging purposes, rather than storing complete file copies. By using MFT comparisons to identify changed files and storing only catalog entries rather than full backup copies, the system maintains complete archiving capability while significantly reducing storage space requirements.
3Measurement precision
If catalog is updated by reading all file information from backup, then accurate data catalog is generated, but computer resources are heavily consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by maintaining and comparing MFT structures from previous backups. Instead of reading all file information from the current backup, the system pre-processes and stores MFT data from prior backups, then uses this pre-prepared information to efficiently identify changes through comparison, thereby reducing the computational resources needed during catalog updates while maintaining accurate tracking of all file changes.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for data recovery, backup and catalog generation are described. In part, the disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for generating a data catalog includes creating a current backup archive; obtaining access to a Master File Table (MFT), or other index table such as an Inode Table, of the current backup archive and a MFT, or other index table such as an Inode Table, of a previous backup archive; comparing each entry in the MFT, or Inode Table, of the current backup to each entry of the MFT, or Inode Table, of the previous backup to identify one or more differences in the current backup archive; and saving one or more of the differences into the data catalog of the current backup archive.