Backup Window Management via Pause and Resume

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Solution Overview

Problem

Backup processes often exceed their allocated backup windows, leading to performance degradation in production workloads as active backups need to be halted, causing disruptions and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system where remote agents monitor backup windows, pause ongoing backups if they exceed the allocated time, and resume them in parallel with subsequent backups, allowing for efficient completion within the allotted time frame.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a backup process runs to completion, then data backup reliability is improved, but backup window timing is exceeded causing performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata backup reliabilityVSAvoidbackup window timing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The backup process is divided into multiple segments or phases. When a backup exceeds its allocated window, it is automatically paused at a checkpoint and resumed later, allowing the backup to be completed in segments rather than as a single continuous operation that would exceed the time constraint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by identifying and pausing the backup process before it completely exceeds the backup window. Checkpoints are established in advance, allowing the backup to be interrupted and resumed without losing progress, thus preventing complete timing violation while ensuring eventual completion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If backup processes are paused and resumed in parallel, then backup window compliance is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup window complianceVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where remote agents continuously monitor backup progress and automatically trigger pause/resume actions when backup window compliance is at risk. This automated feedback loop manages the complexity of parallel backup operations without requiring manual intervention, as the system self-regulates based on monitored conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The backup management system performs self-service by automatically detecting when backups are exceeding their windows and autonomously pausing and resuming them. The system manages its own backup processes without external intervention, handling the complexity of coordination and timing internally through automated agent-based control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11836049B2Method and system for performing a rolling backup within a backup window

Publication Date: 2023.12.05 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A method for performing a backup includes: making a first determination that a last backup of assets is paused; obtaining, based on the first determination, a completed asset list and a non-completed asset list for the last backup; initiating a new backup for assets on the completed asset list for the last backup; and resuming backing up of assets on the non-completed asset list for the last backup.