File-Based Backup Metadata Manager for Instant Data Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for managing file-based backups face challenges in efficiently accessing and storing data across multiple computing devices, particularly in identifying storage locations and generating temporary storage devices to facilitate instant access and future backups.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a file-based backup metadata file to enable access to data by applications, involving a metadata file manager that identifies storage locations and generates temporary storage devices, allowing applications to read and write data without modifying the original backups, and storing backups in a target backup storage system regardless of the storage protocol.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If data is stored in file-based backups in a backup storage system, then data retention and backup capacity are improved, but data access speed and retrieval efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments backup data into individual file-level units with separate metadata entries, allowing the system to access only specific files rather than retrieving entire backup sets. This file-level segmentation enables selective data retrieval, improving access speed while maintaining comprehensive backup capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a metadata file as an intermediary layer between the backup storage system and applications. This metadata file contains file location information, sizes, and other attributes, enabling applications to quickly locate and access specific files without scanning the entire backup storage system, thus improving access speed while preserving backup capacity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If applications directly access backup storage systems, then data access flexibility is improved, but data integrity and backup stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The metadata file acts as an intermediary that mediates between applications and the backup storage system. It provides applications with flexible access to file information while preventing direct modifications to the actual backup data, thus maintaining both access flexibility and backup stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of file metadata and stores it separately from the actual backup data. Applications interact with this metadata copy rather than the primary backup storage, allowing flexible access operations without risking the integrity or stability of the original backup files.
3Speed
If temporary storage devices are generated for each file access, then data access speed is improved, but system complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating complex temporary storage devices, the patent creates simplified metadata copies that contain essential file access information. This approach provides fast access capability while keeping the system structure simple and resource consumption low.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses lightweight, easily creatable metadata structures that can be quickly generated and discarded for each access operation. These metadata copies serve as temporary access facilitators without requiring complex or persistent storage infrastructure, reducing system complexity while maintaining access speed.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for managing file based backups (FBBs) includes obtaining, by a FBB metadata file manager and by an application, a file request for a file stored in a FBB, wherein the FBB is stored in a backup storage system, identifying, using a FBB metadata file of the FBB, a storage location of the file, initiating generation of a temporary storage device, storing a copy of the file in the temporary storage device using the storage location and the FBB, and initiating, after the storing, access to the copy of the file for the application.