Backup Data Segmentation for Storage Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data backup systems face inefficiencies due to duplication of data when combining continuous and scheduled backups, leading to wasteful use of backup storage space.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method and apparatus that separate data into portions for scheduled and continuous backups, where a first portion is backed up at set times to create partial backups, and a second portion is continuously backed up, with the continuous replica linked to partial backups to form full backups, thereby avoiding redundant storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the same data is backed up by both continuous and scheduled backup systems, then data protection coverage is improved, but backup storage space is wasted due to multiple copies of the same data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the source data into two distinct portions: a first portion subject to scheduled backups and a second portion subject to continuous backups. This segmentation allows each backup system to operate on different data segments, eliminating redundant storage of identical data while maintaining comprehensive data protection coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control module as an intermediary that coordinates between the scheduled backup server and continuous backup server. This control module manages the segmentation of source data and the linking of replicas to partial backups, enabling efficient storage utilization while maintaining data protection integrity.
2Reliability
If continuous backup maintains a replica of critical data in real-time, then data recovery capability is improved, but storage efficiency deteriorates when combined with scheduled backups of the same data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides source data into a first portion for scheduled backups and a second portion for continuous backups. This segmentation ensures that critical data requiring real-time recovery capability is handled by the continuous backup system while other data is managed by scheduled backups, optimizing both recovery capability and storage efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the outputs of scheduled backups (partial backups) and continuous backups (replicas) through a control module that links them together to form complete full backups. This merging approach allows the system to leverage both backup methods' strengths while avoiding redundant storage, as the linked partial backups and replicas together constitute a complete backup set.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus for file sharing between continuous and scheduled backups is described. One example relates to backing up source data stored by a computer system. A first portion of the source data is backed up at points in time in response to a backup schedule to produce a plurality of partial backups. A second portion of the source data is backed up continuously in response to changes of the second portion to maintain a replica of the second portion. The replica of the second portion is linked to the plurality of partial backups to produce a respective plurality of full backups of the source data.