Backup Application Metadata Protection via External Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Backup applications that provide data protection and backup functionality can become corrupted and fail, leading to the loss of backup data and inability to recover the application, highlighting a need for enhanced protection mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a process where a backup of a backup application's metadata and configuration data is created and managed using a virtual environment management platform, with a central backup application external to the virtual environment storing and replicating this data to remote backup storage, ensuring data integrity and recoverability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the backup application stores backup data internally, then the backup application can maintain its metadata and configuration data, but the backup data is destroyed along with the backup application if it is completely deleted or destroyed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup application recoverabilityVSAvoidbackup data loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The backup data is extracted from the backup application and stored externally in a separate backup storage system. This allows the backup data to be preserved independently from the backup application, so that even if the application is deleted or destroyed, the backup data remains intact and can be used to recover the application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

An external backup storage system acts as an intermediary between the backup application and the backup data. This intermediary storage preserves the backup data independently, enabling recovery of the backup application even when the original application is lost or corrupted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the backup application creates internal backups, then it can protect its metadata and configuration data from corruption, but it cannot protect against complete deletion or destruction of the application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata protectionVSAvoidbackup storage architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The backup storage architecture transitions from a single internal storage dimension to a multi-dimensional architecture involving external backup storage. This adds a new dimension of protection by storing backup data in a separate location, enabling recovery even when the original application is completely lost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If backup data is stored remotely, then the backup data is protected from local deletion or destruction, but the complexity of managing distributed backup storage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup data integrityVSAvoidbackup management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The external backup storage system serves multiple functions: it stores backup data, enables application recovery, and provides protection against various failure modes. This multi-functional approach consolidates multiple protection needs into a single unified system, simplifying overall backup management despite the distributed architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9477693B1Automated protection of a VBA

Publication Date: 2016.10.25 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

Protecting a first backup application is disclosed. A backup of a state of the first backup application is received. The first backup application coordinates backup of a virtual environment. A second backup application external to the virtual environment is used to store the backup. The backup may be stored in a data storage external to the virtual environment.