Composite Backup Image Duplication on Tape Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tape-based storage devices struggle to keep up with the rate of backup image creation due to slower write speeds during periods of inactivity and significant time consumption for writing file marks, leading to inefficiencies in data duplication processes.
Innovation Solution
Creating a composite image of multiple backup images for storage instead of individual images, which includes deduplicated data blocks and metadata for reconstruction, and writing a single file mark at the end of the composite image to improve storage efficiency and write throughput on tape-based storage devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If tape-based storage devices are used to store duplicated backup images individually, then storage capacity is provided, but write speed decreases and duplication time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual backup images into a single composite image before writing to the tape-based storage device. This combining operation reduces the number of separate write operations and file marks required, thereby improving write speed and productivity while maintaining the necessary storage capacity through the composite structure that can reconstruct individual images.
2Quantity of substance
If individual backup images are written to tape storage device, then data is stored, but time is consumed for writing multiple file marks
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple backup images are combined into a single composite image, which requires only one file mark to delimit the entire composite structure. This eliminates the need to write multiple separate file marks for each individual image, significantly reducing the time consumed for file mark writing while preserving all necessary data through the composite's internal structure and metadata.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary consolidation of multiple backup images into a composite image before the actual tape writing operation. This preliminary action aggregates the data and metadata needed for reconstruction, so that during the tape write operation, only a single file mark is written rather than multiple separate marks, thereby reducing overall writing time.
3Quantity of substance
If backup images are duplicated individually on tape, then storage is provided, but duplication rate cannot keep up with backup image creation rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple backup images into a single composite image that is then written to the tape-based storage device in one operation. This combining approach increases the duplication rate by reducing the number of separate duplication operations needed, allowing the system to keep up with the rate at which backup images are created while maintaining adequate storage capacity through the composite structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for duplicating backup images may include (1) identifying at least one storage device, (2) identifying a plurality of backup images to be duplicated to the storage device, (3) creating a composite image of the plurality of backup images, and then (4) storing the composite image on the storage device instead of duplicating the plurality of backup images to the storage device. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.