Block-Level Disaster Recovery via Virtual Disk Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current data recovery methods are inefficient and time-consuming, especially for large data sets, as they rely on file-level restoration processes that require complex indexing and multiple seeks, leading to prolonged system downtime during disaster recovery.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a block-level copy process using virtual disk containers, which allows for direct mounting and copying of used blocks, bypassing the file system layer, thereby reducing the need for complex indexing and minimizing seeks, enabling faster and more reliable data recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If file-level restoration processes are used, then data can be restored with proper file system organization, but recovery time is prolonged due to complex indexing and multiple seeks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses block-level copying to create a direct bit-by-bit replica of the source volume without going through file-level processing. This copying approach bypasses the need for file system indexing and metadata processing, achieving rapid restoration while maintaining data accuracy through exact replication of all data blocks including unused space.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the data restoration process from the file system layer and performs it directly at the block device level. By taking out the file-level indexing and seeking operations and replacing them with direct block copying, the system eliminates the time-consuming file system processing while preserving the essential function of data restoration.
2Productivity
If file-level copy processes are used, then file system metadata is preserved, but recovery speed is reduced due to indexing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements block-level copying that directly replicates data blocks from source to target without file-level intervention. This copying method achieves high productivity by eliminating indexing operations entirely, as the block device manager handles the replication at a lower level where no file system metadata or indexing is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical file-level copying process with a more efficient block-level mechanism. By substituting the file system layer operations with direct block device operations, the system eliminates the complexity of file indexing and metadata management while dramatically improving recovery speed through streamlined block-level data movement.
3Loss of time
If block-level copy process is used, then recovery time is significantly reduced, but file system layer bypassing may affect data organization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses block-level copying to achieve rapid recovery by directly replicating all data blocks including unused space from the source volume to the target volume. This copying approach minimizes recovery time by bypassing file system processing entirely, while the data organization is automatically preserved through exact bit-by-bit replication of the complete volume structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the data copying operation with the file system structure preservation by performing block-level replication that inherently copies both used and unused blocks. This merging of operations ensures that the target volume receives an exact replica of the source volume including all file system metadata and data organization, achieving both speed and organizational integrity simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for disaster recovery includes a process for executing a disaster recovery client software on a target system. The disaster recovery client software queries a disaster recovery server with an identifier for the target system, receives a backup volume information for the target system from the disaster recovery server, mounts the backup volume to the target system, and transfers data from the backup volume to a physical volume of the target system using a destructive recovery process with block level data transfer.