Backup System Crawler Identifies Excluded Files
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing backup systems fail to effectively identify and notify users about files and folders that are not backed up, leading to gaps in data protection, especially due to exclusion policies, access restrictions, and other reasons.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an intelligent file system crawler that crawls the target file system to identify files not backed up, stores details of these files in a separate meta-data, and notifies the user, while ensuring the remaining files are properly backed up.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional backup systems are used, then backup operations are performed, but users are not notified about files that are not backed up
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by crawling the file system, identifying excluded files, storing this information in metadata, and notifying users about files that were not backed up. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures users are informed about protection gaps and can take corrective actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification of excluded files before the backup operation completes, storing this information in advance in a separate metadata file. This allows users to know in advance which files are not protected and take preventive measures.
2Reliability
If all files are backed up, then comprehensive protection is achieved, but excluded files (due to policies, restrictions, etc.) create protection gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the file system into backed up files and excluded files, tracking each category separately. By crawling and identifying excluded files specifically, the system creates a segmented view that highlights protection gaps without requiring changes to the overall backup architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary metadata file that stores information about excluded files. This intermediary component bridges the gap between the backup system and users, providing detailed information about unprotected files without requiring direct modification of the backup process itself.
3Productivity
If exclusion policies are implemented, then backup efficiency is improved, but unprotected files are not identified or communicated to users
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual tracking of excluded files with an automated crawling mechanism. The crawler automatically traverses the file system, identifies excluded files based on existing policies and restrictions, and populates the metadata file, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup system performs self-service by automatically identifying and documenting its own excluded files. The crawling mechanism autonomously detects files that are not backed up due to exclusion policies, access restrictions, or other reasons, and records this information without external assistance.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention relate to generating backups of applications. The user or administrator that monitors the backup is notified of those files and/or folders that have not been backed up in the most recent backup. Further, embodiments of the invention enable alerts to be initiated when a particular file or folder has not been backed up over multiple backups or over a predetermined period. As a result, the user or administrator can have a better understanding of the protection and lack of protection that the present backups are providing.