Block Storage Snapshot Routing for Flexible Data Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for importing and exporting data in virtualized computing environments are cumbersome, slow, and unreliable, failing to keep pace with the flexibility and efficiency of on-demand computing resource provisioning.
Innovation Solution
A block storage service that creates backup copies of data and routes them to multiple destination locations specified by users, allowing for flexible storage and retrieval of data across remote storage systems, decoupling data management from physical hardware configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional data import/export methods are used in virtualized environments, then data can be transferred between systems, but the process is slow and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates snapshot copies of virtual disk data that can be independently stored and transferred. Instead of transferring live data which causes performance degradation and reliability issues, the system creates point-in-time copies that can be moved without affecting the source system's operation, thereby improving both transfer speed and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a storage arbitration service as an intermediary layer between virtualized computing systems and physical storage resources. This mediator manages snapshot creation, storage, and retrieval operations, decoupling data transfer from compute operations and enabling reliable, high-speed data movement without impacting system performance
2Adaptability or versatility
If data is exported from virtualized computing systems, then backup and restoration capabilities are enabled, but the process is cumbersome and slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates snapshots of virtual disk data at specific points in time before backup operations are needed. These pre-created snapshots capture the desired state of data without requiring time-consuming data copying or compression during the backup process, significantly reducing backup operation time while maintaining flexibility in when and where backups are stored
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides virtual disk data into manageable snapshot segments that can be independently created, stored, and transferred. This segmentation allows parallel processing of backup operations across multiple storage destinations simultaneously, reducing overall backup time while providing flexible adaptation to different storage requirements
3Adaptability or versatility
If computing resources are virtualized for on-demand provisioning, then flexibility and cost efficiency are improved, but data import/export operations become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal snapshot storage system that works across different virtualized computing environments and data formats. The storage arbitration service provides a unified interface for managing snapshots regardless of the underlying virtualization platform or storage destination, making data import/export operations as easy as computing resource management while maintaining adaptability across diverse systems
Data Source
AI summary
A group of computers is configured to implement a block storage service. The block storage service includes a block-level storage for storing data from a set of distinct computing instances for a set of distinct users. An interface is configured to allow the set of distinct users to specify respective destinations for storing backup copies of respective data stored in the block-level storage for the distinct users. At least some of the respective destinations are for different storage systems remote from one another. A backup copy function is provided for creating backup copies of data stored in the block-level storage by the set of distinct computing instances for the set of distinct users. The backup copies are stored in different destination locations specified by respective ones of the plurality of distinct users via the interface.