Backup Multiplexing via Unified Key Scheduling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current backup multiplexing technologies face complexity in managing and encrypting data from multiple clients, leading to increased encryption overhead and key management challenges due to the need for multiple encryption keys.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine criteria for data backup based on reducing encryption overhead by identifying sets of data to be multiplexed based on shared encryption keys, allowing for efficient transmission and caching of data streams to minimize key switching, using a backup device with a multiplexing management module, cache management, and encryption/decryption module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data streams from multiple clients are multiplexed and handled by a single backup mechanism, then backup efficiency is improved and storage capacity is utilized better, but the complexity of managing and tracking backed up data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments multiplexed data streams by assigning unique identifiers to each client's data portion and organizing them into separate logical channels. The backup mechanism tracks each segment independently while maintaining efficient consolidated storage, reducing the complexity of managing multiplexed data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary indexing structure that maps unique identifiers to their corresponding data locations and encryption keys. This intermediary layer simplifies the tracking and management of multiplexed data by providing a centralized lookup mechanism rather than requiring direct tracking of all data portions.
2Reliability
If multiple encryption keys are used for different backup clients, then data security and confidentiality are improved, but the overhead of key management and ensuring correct key association increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple encryption key management operations into a unified key schedule generated from a single master key. Each client's encryption key is derived deterministically from the master key and the client's unique identifier, eliminating the need to manage multiple independent keys while maintaining data security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal master key that serves multiple functions: generating individual encryption keys for each client, identifying data portions belonging to specific clients, and enabling secure decryption. This multi-functional approach reduces key management complexity while maintaining security.
3Speed
If a backup device runs continuously without starting and stopping, then backup speed is improved and completion time is reduced, but the ability to handle multiple data streams efficiently may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous backup operation by multiplexing multiple data streams into a single continuous output stream. The backup device processes data continuously without stopping, switching between client data streams seamlessly using unique identifiers to route data appropriately, maintaining both speed and multi-stream handling efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for providing multiplexed data for backup are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for providing multiplexed data for backup comprising determining one or more criteria for a set of data to be backed up by a backup device, wherein the one or more criteria are based at least in part on reducing encryption overhead for the set of data. The method further includes identifying one or more sets of data to form a multiplexed backup based upon the one or more sets of data meeting the one or more criteria, and transmitting the one or more identified sets of data to the backup device for backup.