Breadcrumb Directory for Data Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed storage server systems are inefficient and costly for retaining rarely accessed data files, as they are designed for frequent access, leading to a need for migrating these files to archive storage systems, where direct file access is cumbersome and costly.
Innovation Solution
Replacing the directory of locally stored data files with breadcrumbs that link to a webpage, allowing for efficient migration and quick access to archived files through a Network Attached Storage architecture, utilizing a data management application that manages file migration policies and maintains a webpage for file restoration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If data files are retained in high-speed storage server systems for posterity, then data accessibility is improved, but storage cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage system into two distinct parts: high-speed storage server systems for frequently accessed data and archive storage systems for rarely accessed data. This segmentation allows each storage type to be optimized for its specific use case, reducing overall storage costs while maintaining accessibility for needed files.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a directory service as an intermediary between users and archived files. This mediator maintains breadcrumb trails that point to archived files, enabling users to access archived data without requiring the files to remain in expensive high-speed storage, thus reducing storage costs while preserving accessibility.
2Quantity of substance
If data files are migrated to archive storage systems, then storage cost is reduced, but data accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates breadcrumb trail copies that reference archived files. These breadcrumbs are stored in the high-speed storage system's directory structure, allowing users to access archived files through the directory service without moving the actual file data back to high-speed storage, thus maintaining low storage costs while improving accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The directory service acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between users and archived files. It maintains breadcrumb trails that enable users to locate and access archived files through a familiar file system interface, eliminating the need for users to directly interact with the archive storage system and thereby maintaining ease of access.
3Ease of operation
If directory listings are maintained in high-speed storage systems after file migration, then data accessibility is improved, but storage cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of maintaining actual directory listings in the high-speed storage system, the patent uses breadcrumb trail copies that reference archived files. These breadcrumbs are lightweight metadata entries that provide access information without duplicating the actual file data, thus maintaining accessibility while minimizing storage costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the directory listing functionality from the high-speed storage system and places it in the archive storage system's directory service. This extraction allows the high-speed storage system to focus on storing only actively used files, while directory information for archived files is handled separately, reducing the storage burden on the high-speed system.
Data Source
AI summary
In certain instances, a data management application (software application) that manages moving data files, and the like, from a primary high-speed storage system. An end-user can configure the data management application for particular files via management policies. Based on the management policies, after a file is migrated from the primary storage system to a targeted secondary storage system, a breadcrumb pointing to a webpage for the migrated file is left behind in the primary storage system. The webpage can be used to manage the migrated file, such as moving the migrated file back to the primary storage system.