Combined Tracking Data for Low-Latency Incremental Backups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing incremental data backup methods for network-attached memories face inefficiencies due to the need to collate tracking data structures from multiple computer nodes, leading to increased network traffic, latency, and resource delays.
Innovation Solution
A combined tracking data structure is maintained at the network-attached memory, integrating modified data tracking from multiple computer nodes, allowing any node to initiate an incremental backup without collating individual structures, thus reducing delays and network traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tracking data structures are collated from multiple computer nodes to perform incremental backup, then backup completeness is improved, but network traffic and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple distributed tracking data structures from different computer nodes into a single unified tracking data structure stored at the network-attached memory. This consolidation allows any computer node to access the complete tracking information locally without needing to collate data from multiple nodes, thereby maintaining backup completeness while eliminating network traffic and latency associated with distributed data collection.
2Reliability
If tracking data structures are collated from multiple computer nodes, then all modified data is captured, but resource usage and processing delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by maintaining a unified tracking data structure at the network-attached memory in advance, before backup operations are initiated. This pre-consolidated structure contains all modified data information from multiple computer nodes, ready for immediate access. When backup operations need to occur, the data is already organized and available, eliminating the need for real-time collation and thus improving backup operation speed while maintaining tracking accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If individual tracking data structures are maintained at each computer node, then node autonomy is preserved, but network traffic for backup coordination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The unified tracking data structure stored at the network-attached memory serves as an intermediary that reconciles the need for node autonomy with the need to minimize network traffic. Each computer node independently maintains its own view of the unified structure, allowing autonomy in accessing and interpreting tracking data. The unified structure acts as a shared mediator that all nodes can access consistently without requiring continuous coordination communication, thereby reducing network traffic while preserving node independence.
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a system combines modified data tracking structures in a plurality of computer nodes into a combined tracking data structure, where a modified data tracking structure includes indicators of modified data portions in a network-attached memory. The system stores the combined tracking data structure at the network-attached memory. As part of an incremental data backup operation, the system uses the combined tracking data structure to provide the modified data portions from the network-attached memory to a backup storage system.