Client Backup Agent Indexing for Independent Data Restore
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current backup systems require a backup server to manage and coordinate data backup and restore operations, making it difficult for clients to perform these tasks independently.
Innovation Solution
A client-side agent is installed to manage backup operations, allowing clients to store, locate, and restore data without a backup server, using indexing information and unique timestamps to ensure data integrity and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a backup server is used to manage and coordinate backup operations, then data backup and restore operations can be performed reliably, but the system complexity increases and clients cannot perform backups independently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling clients to perform backup operations independently without requiring a backup server. The client generates unique timestamps, creates indexing information, and manages the entire backup process autonomously, allowing the system to serve itself rather than relying on external coordination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the backup management functionality from the backup server and relocates it to the client side. By taking out the coordination and management tasks from the centralised backup server, the client gains independent backup capability while the system complexity is reduced to only what is necessary for direct client-to-device communication
2Adaptability or versatility
If a backup server coordinates backup operations, then backup management is centralized and simplified, but the ability of clients to backup data independently is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The client is empowered to perform backup operations independently by generating unique timestamps, creating indexing information, and managing the entire backup process without external coordination. This self-service approach maximizes backup flexibility while minimizing the complexity of coordination systems
Solution Approach 2:
The backup system is segmented into independent client-side operations and simple device storage functions. The client handles all complex tasks including timestamp generation, indexing information creation, and backup coordination, while the storage device simply receives and stores data, dividing the system into manageable segments with clear responsibilities
3Loss of time
If indexing information is stored with each backup, then data search and locate performance improves, but storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by storing only essential indexing information (unique timestamp and path name) rather than complete metadata for each backup. This selective indexing reduces storage space requirements while still enabling efficient backup location and retrieval, avoiding the excess of storing comprehensive data descriptors
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for backing up a client or a client's data are disclosed. A client is configured with an agent that enables data of the client to be backed up to a device without a backup server. Indexing information is also stored with the backup.