Automated Backup Restoration Sequence via Finite State Machine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Restoring data to a desired state in complex backup environments is time-consuming and prone to user error due to the need to sift through multiple backups and manually select restoration points, especially in systems with overlapping protection and varying backup methods.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that identify the necessary backup datasets and order them for restoration to a selected state, using a finite state machine to determine the correct sequence, thereby simplifying the restoration process and reducing administrative effort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple backup systems with overlapping protection are used, then data protection reliability is improved, but restoration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata protection reliabilityVSAvoidrestoration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system that automatically analyzes backup datasets, determines their relationships and overlaps, and generates a recommended restoration sequence. This intermediary layer shields administrators from the complexity of multiple overlapping backups while maintaining high data protection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to administrators by presenting analyzed backup relationships and recommended restoration sequences, allowing verification and adjustment while leveraging automated analysis to reduce complexity in multi-backup environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If administrators manually select and order backup datasets for restoration, then flexibility in restoration options is improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverestoration flexibilityVSAvoidrestoration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of backup datasets, pre-determining relationships, overlaps, and optimal restoration sequences before the actual restoration is needed. This advance preparation significantly reduces the time required during actual restoration operations while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service restoration by automatically analyzing backup datasets and generating recommended restoration sequences, allowing administrators to quickly initiate restoration without manual analysis while retaining the ability to adjust recommendations as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If comprehensive backup coverage is implemented, then data protection scope is improved, but difficulty in identifying necessary backups increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackup coverage scopeVSAvoidbackup identification difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary analysis system that automatically examines comprehensive backup datasets, identifies relationships and overlaps, and determines which backups are necessary for restoration. This intermediary layer makes comprehensive backup coverage manageable by automatically processing the complexity of identifying necessary backups.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to administrators by presenting analyzed backup relationships and identification of necessary datasets, enabling verification and adjustment while leveraging automated analysis to reduce the difficulty of identifying required backups across comprehensive coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2788876B1System and method for restoring application data
Publication Date: 2016.08.31 GEN DIGITAL INC
  • EP2788876B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2788876B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2788876B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for restoring application data may include (1) receiving a request to restore resource data for a resource to a selected state, (2) identifying a plurality of backup datasets, each backup dataset within the plurality of backup datasets including at least a portion of backed up data for the resource, (3) determining an order in which to restore the plurality of backup datasets in order to restore the resource data to the selected state, and (4) restoring the resource data for the resource to the selected state by restoring the plurality of backup datasets in the order as determined. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.