Backup Data Set Creation via Empty Track Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data backup methods require copying the entirety of a data set, including empty data tracks, and storing the intermediary data set on a single secondary storage volume, which is inefficient and not fully functional.
Innovation Solution
Identify a data set to be backed up, remove empty data tracks to create an intermediary data set, and store this set across multiple secondary storage volumes, creating a backup data set using the intermediary data set.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the entirety of the data set including empty data tracks is copied to a single secondary storage volume, then the backup process is simple to implement, but the storage efficiency is poor and the backup time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes empty data tracks from the source data set before creating the intermediary data set. This extraction principle eliminates unnecessary data elements (empty tracks) that would otherwise be copied wastefully, thereby improving backup efficiency and reducing storage requirements while maintaining the simplicity of the overall backup process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the backup storage into multiple secondary storage volumes instead of using a single volume. The intermediary data set is distributed across these multiple volumes, which improves storage efficiency and allows parallel processing operations, thereby enhancing backup productivity without complicating the implementation
2Quantity of substance
If empty data tracks are removed to create an intermediary data set, then the storage space required is reduced, but the complexity of the backup process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary data set as a mediator between the source data set and the final backup. This intermediary structure serves as a processing buffer where empty tracks are removed and data is prepared for efficient storage across multiple volumes. The intermediary approach reduces overall storage requirements while managing process complexity through structured data transformation
3Device complexity
If the intermediary data set is stored on a single secondary storage volume, then the storage structure is simple, but the backup speed is limited and storage resources are not optimally utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the storage structure into multiple secondary storage volumes to store the intermediary data set. This segmentation enables parallel write operations across multiple volumes, significantly increasing backup speed. The multiple-volume structure also optimizes storage resource utilization by distributing data across available capacity, preventing any single volume from becoming a bottleneck
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method according to one embodiment includes identifying a first data set to be backed up, where the first data set is stored on a first storage volume; removing empty data tracks from the first data set to create an intermediary data set; storing the intermediary data set at a plurality of secondary storage volumes different from the first storage volume; and creating a backup data set for the first data set, utilizing the intermediary data set.