Clustered Server Data Protection via Distributed File System Filters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data protection management systems face challenges in providing reliable protection for content controlled by clustered servers, as existing methods either fail to account for cluster nodes' dynamic communication changes or result in corrupted replicated content due to complex sequencing of change records.
Innovation Solution
A data protection management system that deploys a data protection agent and file system filter on each cluster node, generating change records for modifications and storing them in records caches, which are then periodically flushed to a log file and applied to the replicated content in a data storage pool, allowing the data protection server to communicate with the clustered server as a single entity for reliable protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a data protection management system uses a single data protection agent and file system filter on one cluster node, then the system complexity is reduced and communication is simplified, but the system fails to account for dynamic communication changes between cluster nodes resulting in unreliable data protection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the data protection system into multiple independent components deployed on each cluster node. Each node runs its own data protection agent and file system filter, which independently monitor and capture changes to protected volumes. This segmentation allows each node to autonomously handle data protection tasks while maintaining overall system reliability during failover scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic parameter changes by allowing the data protection system to adapt its behavior based on cluster communication states. When a node becomes active or inactive, the system automatically adjusts which agents are monitoring and how change records are captured and applied, ensuring continuous reliable protection without manual reconfiguration.
2Reliability
If the system deploys data protection agents and file system filters on each cluster node to handle dynamic communication changes, then data protection reliability is improved, but the system complexity and coordination overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes each cluster node universally capable of performing data protection functions. Each node is equipped with both a data protection agent and a file system filter, enabling any node to independently handle data protection tasks regardless of its current active or inactive state. This multi-functionality ensures that protection continues seamlessly during failover without requiring complex node-specific configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying to replicate the data protection functionality across all cluster nodes. Instead of creating complex inter-node dependencies, each node receives a copy of the data protection agent and file system filter software, allowing independent operation. Change records are also copied and applied consistently across all nodes, simplifying coordination during failover scenarios.
3Reliability
If the system captures modifications on each cluster node and sequences change records, then complete data protection is achieved, but corruption occurs due to complex sequencing requirements during failover
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having each cluster node continuously capture and buffer change records in local storage before failover occurs. The file system filter monitors modifications and stores change records in a persistent format on each node, ensuring that no changes are lost during transitions. This preliminary capture eliminates the need for complex real-time sequencing during failover, as all changes are already recorded and can be applied in a straightforward manner.
Data Source
AI summary
A data protection management system for protecting content controlled by a clustered server is presented. The data protection management system includes a data protection server and a data storage pool. The data storage pool is coupled to and controlled by the data protection server for storing a replicated copy of the protected content. The data protection management system also includes a file system filter deployed on each cluster node in the clustered server. Each file system filter is configured to, upon receiving notice of a modification to the protected content, generate a change record comprising information describing the modification such that the data protection server can effectuate the same modification on the replicated content in the data storage pool corresponding to the protected content. The data protection server communicates with the clustered server as a single server in providing data protection to the protected content.