Continuous Data Protection Unit Optimizing Recovery Point Objectives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data backup systems with continuous data protection (CDP) face challenges such as inefficient bandwidth usage, high computational resource intensity, and inconsistent recovery point objectives (RPO) when transferring data to secondary storage and cloud storage, leading to potential data loss and error-prone retrieval.
Innovation Solution
A CDP unit and recovery unit system that receives incoming data change sets, allows for variable RPO optimization by forwarding data directly or through a journal for coalescing, enabling efficient bandwidth usage and improved data backup and retrieval by consolidating data for variable RPO settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If snapshots are taken frequently to reduce RPO, then data recovery capability is improved, but computational resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple snapshots into a single consolidated snapshot, merging the data from multiple time points into one unified structure. This reduces the number of separate snapshot operations needed while maintaining the ability to recover data from different points in time, thereby improving recovery capability without proportionally increasing computational resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The consolidated snapshot serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a single backup point while containing data from multiple time periods, enables recovery to different points in time, and reduces the overhead of managing multiple separate snapshots. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve better RPO without linearly increasing computational consumption.
2Speed
If snapshots are mounted on array to be read by secondary storage, then data retrieval is improved, but bandwidth for production workloads is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the snapshot data into change sets that can be selectively applied. Instead of mounting entire snapshots on the array for reading, the system identifies and transfers only the necessary change sets to secondary storage, reducing the bandwidth consumption on the production array while maintaining efficient data retrieval capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts only the essential change sets from consolidated snapshots and transfers them to secondary storage, rather than moving or mounting entire snapshot datasets. This extraction approach minimizes the bandwidth impact on production workloads while ensuring that critical recovery data is available.
3Reliability
If CDP mirrors data in real-time to secondary storage, then data safety is improved, but bandwidth fluctuation increases due to workload peaks
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous real-time mirroring, the patent implements periodic snapshot operations at configurable intervals. This periodic approach smooths bandwidth consumption by performing data protection operations at regular intervals rather than continuously, reducing the impact of workload peaks while maintaining adequate data safety through frequent but not continuous backup operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of snapshot intervals and retention periods based on workload conditions and bandwidth availability. By changing these parameters adaptively, the system can maintain data safety while adjusting bandwidth consumption to match available capacity, preventing bandwidth instability during peak periods.
4Quantity of substance
If snapshots are deleted frequently to free storage space, then storage capacity is maintained, but computational resource intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple snapshots into a single consolidated snapshot that retains data from multiple time periods. This consolidation reduces the total number of snapshot files that need to be managed and deleted, thereby maintaining storage capacity while significantly reducing the computational overhead associated with frequent snapshot creation, management, and deletion operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A continuous data protection unit (CDP unit) is arranged to receive from a primary splitter, a copy of incoming data sent to a primary storage in the form of incoming change sets. The CDP unit comprises CDP data mover, and CDP storage unit. The CDP data mover is arranged to receive the incoming change sets and write recovery data based on one or more change sets to the CDP storage unit and to a recovery unit arranged to hold a copy of the recovery data.