Synthesizing File System Backup Views via Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Remote backup systems face challenges in allowing administrators to determine the content of snapshots and incremental files, making it difficult to select appropriate backups for recovery, and the restoration process is costly and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

The system synthesizes a view of file system backups by mounting backup files on a backup node, generating a browsable representation, and exposing it to an intermediary node, allowing users to interact with the backup as if it were a local file system, while maintaining security through secure connections and metadata management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If backup files are stored remotely in cloud-based storage environment, then storage capacity and security are improved, but administrators cannot determine the content of snapshots or incremental files

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup securityVSAvoidbackup content visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a backup node as an intermediary component between the cloud-based storage environment and the administrator interface. This backup node mounts backup files and generates synthesized views that allow administrators to inspect backup content without directly accessing the remote storage environment, thus maintaining security while providing visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If administrators cannot verify backup content, then system security is maintained, but restoration process becomes time-consuming and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem securityVSAvoidrestoration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables administrators to perform preliminary verification of backup content by synthesizing and viewing backup data before restoration is initiated. This allows administrators to confirm that the correct backup contains the required files, preventing unnecessary restoration operations and reducing time loss during actual restoration processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If all backup files are retained for potential restoration, then data recovery options are maximized, but storage requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecovery optionsVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where administrators can inspect backup content through synthesized views, evaluate the value and relevance of different backups, and make informed decisions about which backups to retain or delete. This feedback loop enables optimization of storage space by removing redundant or unnecessary backups while maintaining adequate recovery options.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9213607B2Systems, methods, and media for synthesizing views of file system backups

Publication Date: 2015.12.15 EFOLDER INC

AI summary

Systems, methods, and media for synthesizing a view of a file system are provided herein. Methods may include receiving a request to obtain a view of at least a portion of a file system backup for a device, responsive to the request, mounting one or more backup files for the device on a backup node, generating a view of the at least a portion of a file system created from the one or more mounted backup files, the view being accessible via the intermediary node that is communicatively coupled with the backup node.