Block-Level Replication for Fast Data Container Restoration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems require substantial time to restore data due to restoring entire data sets after disasters, despite errors often affecting only parts of the data, leading to unnecessary downtime.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for granular replication that restores specific data containers like files or luns while maintaining the volume available for read/write operations, using a rollback PCPI to synchronize data efficiently between source and destination systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire data set is restored from backup after a disaster, then data completeness is ensured, but restoration time becomes substantial due to the volume of data involved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the restoration process into granular components by implementing block-level replication that operates at the block device level rather than restoring entire file systems or volumes. This segmentation allows only the specific corrupted blocks to be restored while leaving the rest of the data set untouched and immediately accessible, thereby reducing restoration time while maintaining data completeness for the affected portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and restores only the specific corrupted or lost data blocks from the backup storage system, rather than extracting and restoring the entire data set. This selective extraction approach minimizes the amount of data that needs to be transferred and restored, directly addressing the time consumption issue while ensuring that only the necessary portions are recovered.
2Reliability
If the entire volume is restored during disaster recovery, then all data is recovered, but the volume becomes unavailable for read/write operations during restoration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the volume into individual block devices that can be restored independently. This allows the restoration process to operate on specific corrupted blocks without affecting the availability of other blocks in the volume. Clients can continue to access and operate on unaffected portions of the volume while restoration occurs in the background on specific segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary block-level replication and backup mechanisms that maintain up-to-date copies of data blocks before corruption occurs. This preliminary action ensures that when corruption is detected, only the specific affected blocks need to be restored from the replicated copies, rather than requiring the entire volume to be taken offline for restoration.
3Productivity
If block-level granular replication is implemented, then restoration speed is improved and downtime is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a block-level replication system that serves multiple functions: it enables rapid restoration of corrupted blocks, provides real-time data protection, and maintains backup copies for disaster recovery. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a unified block-level replication mechanism, managing complexity while delivering comprehensive protection and fast recovery capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for efficiently restoring one or more data containers is provided. A common persistent consistency point image (PCPI) is identified between a source and a destination storage systems prior to the destination storage system performing a rollback operation to the commonly identified PCPI. Differential data is then transmitted from the source storage system in a line efficient manner to the destination storage system.