Backup Management Device for Virtual Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing backup systems face performance deterioration due to the load of copy processing on virtualization software, particularly in cloud platforms, and the cost and management complexity of installing agents on each virtual server.

Innovation Solution

A backup management device and method that includes a database to store configuration information for both physical and virtual resources, and a processor to generate backup information for virtual storage devices, allowing for efficient backup of physical storage devices to another physical storage device, thereby reducing the load on virtualization software and eliminating the need for agents on each virtual server.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If backup is performed through virtualization software copy processing, then backup functionality is provided for virtual resources, but performance deterioration occurs due to processing load

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup functionality for virtual resourcesVSAvoidsystem performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a backup management device as an intermediary between the virtualization software and the backup target system. This device receives backup requests from the virtualization software, translates them into appropriate physical backup operations, and manages the backup process without requiring the virtualization software to perform complex copy processing. The intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by offloading the backup processing load from the virtualization software to a dedicated backup management system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If agents are installed on each virtual server for backup, then backup control is achieved, but cost and management complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup control capabilityVSAvoidagent installation and management

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the backup agent functionality from individual virtual servers and consolidates it into a centralized backup management device. Instead of installing and managing separate agents on each virtual server, the system uses a single backup management device that can control backup operations for multiple virtual servers. This extraction approach resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for distributed agent installation while maintaining backup control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The backup management device is designed with universal functionality to manage backup operations for multiple virtual servers through a single interface. It can handle backup requests, translate them into physical backup operations, and manage the entire backup process without requiring server-specific agents. This multi-functional approach resolves the contradiction by providing centralized backup control that works across different virtual servers without increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If copy processing is performed on virtualization software, then virtual disk backup is enabled, but load on virtualization software increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirtual disk backup capabilityVSAvoidprocessing load on virtualization software

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The backup management device acts as an intermediary that receives backup requests from the virtualization software and translates them into direct backup operations on the physical storage system. Instead of the virtualization software performing resource-intensive copy processing, the intermediary device handles the backup operations efficiently by working directly with the physical storage infrastructure. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining virtual disk backup capability while eliminating the processing load on the virtualization software.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11550671B2Backup management device, backup management method, and information processing system

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 FUJITSU LTD

AI summary

A backup management device includes a database and a processor. The database is configured to store configuration information of physical resource including a physical storage device, configuration information of virtual resource including a virtual storage device, and relationship information of the virtual resource and the physical resource. The processor is configured to generate, when the virtual storage device is provided to a user, backup information related to backup control of the physical storage device associated with the virtual storage device based on information stored in the database. The processor is configured to perform backup of the virtual storage device by copying a physical storage device associated with the virtual storage device to another physical storage device based on the generated backup information.