Compressed Differential Base Image Storage for Backup Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data backup systems face challenges in efficiently managing storage space due to the need for multiple copies of data, high storage requirements, and difficulties in backing up files that are open or changing, leading to potential data corruption and redundancy.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for enhanced data storage that compresses differential base images and deletes older incremental images, using a removable drive for temporary storage to generate compressed differential base images, ensuring that previous base images are differentials of the most recent base image, thereby significantly reducing storage space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple copies of data are stored for backup purposes, then data security and recoverability are improved, but storage space requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata securityVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple backup images into a single compressed repository file, merging redundant data from multiple backups into one consolidated storage unit. This reduces the total storage space required while maintaining the ability to restore individual backup points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested structure where multiple backup images are stored within a single repository file container. The repository file acts as a parent container that holds multiple child backup images, allowing efficient space utilization while preserving individual backup integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If full backup images are retained for each backup point, then data recoverability to any point in time is improved, but storage requirements and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata recoverabilityVSAvoidbackup management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the backup storage into a hierarchical structure with a master repository file containing multiple numbered backup images. Each backup image is divided into sequential segments that can be individually managed and restored, simplifying the recovery process while maintaining comprehensive backup coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary compression and organization of backup images during the backup process itself, rather than requiring post-backup processing. Backup images are compressed and stored in sequential order within the repository file as they are created, eliminating the need for complex post-processing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Volume of stationary object

If incremental backups are used to reduce storage space, then storage requirements are reduced, but the restore process becomes more complex requiring multiple images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidrestore process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates complete copy images for each backup point rather than storing only incremental differences. Each backup image is a complete copy that can be independently restored, eliminating the complexity of applying multiple incremental backups in sequence while still achieving space efficiency through compression and repository consolidation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Volume of stationary object

If compression is applied to backup images, then storage space is reduced, but processing time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies compression periodically during the backup process at designated intervals rather than continuously processing every byte. The backup system compresses data in batches as it accumulates, balancing compression overhead with acceptable processing speeds and reducing the impact on backup performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS9092374B2Method of and system for enhanced data storage

Publication Date: 2015.07.28 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A method of and system for enhanced storage allows more data to be backed up than would otherwise be possible. Instead of storing uncompressed base images and incremental images, differentials of non-current base images are compressed and stored. Furthermore, incremental images that are older than the current base image are removed. By only saving differential base images that are compressed, aside from the newest base image, and deleting older incremental images, a significant amount of space is saved. A removable drive is used as temporary storage in the process of generating a compressed differential base for previous base images. Additionally, a process ensures that previous base images are differentials of the most recent base image and not each other.