Backup Storage Manager for Unavailability Tolerant Chain-Based Backups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Backup storage systems face challenges in managing temporary unavailability of storage resources, leading to disruptions in data backup and restoration processes.
Innovation Solution
A backup storage system that employs a manager to monitor storage availability, initiate chain-based backups in available storages when primary storage becomes unavailable, and merge these backups with previous backups upon primary storage's availability, utilizing metadata for seamless data restoration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the backup storage system uses a primary storage for data backup, then the backup process is simple and efficient, but the system is disrupted when the primary storage becomes temporarily unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a secondary storage as an intermediary when the primary storage is unavailable. The manager detects primary storage unavailability and redirects backup operations to the secondary storage, which acts as a temporary mediator to maintain backup continuity. This resolves the contradiction by providing a fallback mechanism that preserves reliability while managing the complexity through automated detection and redirection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring a secondary storage and establishing backup chains before primary storage failures occur. The manager sets up the infrastructure in advance, so when unavailability is detected, the system can immediately switch to the pre-prepared secondary storage without disruption. This preliminary preparation maintains reliability while the automation manages complexity.
2Productivity
If the system switches to a second storage when the first storage is unavailable, then the backup process continues without interruption, but the system complexity increases due to multiple storage management
Solution Approach 1:
The manager implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring primary storage availability and automatically detecting when it becomes unavailable. This feedback loop triggers the switch to secondary storage and initiates chain-based backups. The feedback system maintains high productivity by ensuring backups continue uninterrupted while managing complexity through automated decision-making rather than manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its backup strategy based on primary storage availability. When available, it uses simple direct backups; when unavailable, it automatically switches to chain-based backups on secondary storage. This dynamic behavior maintains high productivity by flexibly responding to conditions while the automation manages the complexity of multiple storage configurations.
3Reliability
If the system implements chain-based backup on second storage, then the backup generation is completed successfully, but the computational overhead increases due to backup merging operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs partial merging operations only when necessary - specifically when switching from primary to secondary storage. Rather than continuously merging all backups, it applies chain-based backup merging only to the extent needed to maintain data integrity on secondary storage. This selective approach preserves data integrity while reducing unnecessary computational overhead from constant merging operations.
4Reliability
If the system monitors storage availability and manages backup switching, then the storage unavailability impact is reduced, but the system requires more complex monitoring and management mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The manager implements self-service capabilities by automatically monitoring primary storage availability and autonomously deciding when to switch to secondary storage. The system monitors itself for failures and performs self-healing by redirecting backups without external intervention. This self-service approach improves reliability through continuous monitoring while managing complexity by eliminating the need for external management systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for reducing the impact of temporary unavailability of storages in a backup storage system. The system may store different types of backups depending on the availability storages. The first type of backup, which may rely on a previous backup stored in a first storage that is available for restoration purposes, may be stored on the first storage. When the first storage becomes temporarily unavailable, a second type of backup may be stored in a second storage that is available that requires a previous backup stored in the temporarily unavailable first storage for restoration purposes. The second type of backup may be chained to the previous backup stored in the temporarily unavailable storage. The second type of backup may be converted to the first type of backup when the first storage becomes available again in a computationally efficient manner.