Container-Scalable File Structure for Distributed Cluster Restoration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for protecting data on distributed storage clusters involve duplicating the distributed file system and creating snapshots, which are inefficient and limited in scalability and performance.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a container-scalable file structure that manages backed-up data through container directories with synthesized flat files and distributed metadata across multiple levels, eliminating the need for duplicating the file system and relying on snapshots.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a native copy of the distributed file system is stored on a backup device and point-in-time snapshots are created, then data protection is achieved, but scalability and performance are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata protectionVSAvoidscalability and performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The backup system segments data into container directories with flat file structures, dividing the backup process into manageable units that can be independently processed and scaled across multiple storage devices, eliminating the performance limitations of traditional snapshot approaches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimensional approach by implementing a container directory structure with file-container maps that organize backup data across multiple levels (L1, L2, L3 metadata databases), transforming the traditional single-dimension snapshot model into a multi-dimensional scalable architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional snapshot methods are used for data protection, then data can be restored to previous states, but the system complexity and storage overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverestoration capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity and storage overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of creating complex snapshot copies of the entire file system, the patent uses selective copying of data into container directories with associated file-container maps, maintaining restoration capability while significantly reducing system complexity and storage overhead

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary organization of backup data into container directories and metadata databases before restoration is needed, enabling efficient data retrieval without requiring complex snapshot management during the restoration process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12572429B2Distributed storage cluster restorations using container-scalable file structures

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A method for restoring files onto distributed storage clusters. The method includes: receiving a restoration request specifying a backup identifier (ID); identifying, within a container-scalable file structure, a backup directory associated with the backup ID; producing a file-container map based on information stored within the backup directory; and submitting, to a distributed workload framework and to service the restoration request, a copy-read request specifying the file-container map.