Data Migration Strategy for Database Consistency and Downtime

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Solution Overview

Problem

Data migration during application upgrades often results in significant downtime, violating database consistency and impacting users, as existing methods fail to efficiently manage the transition of persistent data from one format to another, especially when new versions require changes to database structures or merging of table entries.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a transformation selection module to determine the read frequency, write frequency, and data volume, selecting appropriate data migration types such as incremental conversion or lazy migration to minimize downtime, allowing data migration to occur while the application is operational, and enabling seamless transitions between different data formats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional data migration methods are used to upgrade application versions, then data format transformation is achieved, but significant downtime occurs and database consistency is violated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedatabase consistencyVSAvoiddowntime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data migration process into multiple phases: identifying data objects to be migrated, determining their usage patterns (read/write frequency), categorizing them into migration groups, and applying different migration strategies to each group. This segmentation allows critical data to be migrated with consistency guarantees while non-critical data is migrated asynchronously, resolving the contradiction between consistency and downtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of data usage patterns before migration, identifying which data objects are frequently accessed and should maintain consistency during migration. This preliminary classification enables the system to prioritize migration of less critical data first, allowing the application to remain operational while maintaining database consistency for critical data structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If data migration is performed to support new application version requirements, then data format changes are implemented, but application availability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata format compatibilityVSAvoidapplication availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic migration strategies that adapt to data usage patterns. The system continuously monitors read and write frequencies, dynamically categorizing data objects into different migration groups. This dynamic approach allows the system to adjust migration timing and methods based on real-time application needs, maintaining availability while achieving format compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes migration parameters based on data characteristics - using synchronous migration for critical data with strict consistency requirements and asynchronous migration for non-critical data. By varying migration parameters (timing, method, priority) according to data usage patterns, the system achieves format compatibility without uniformly reducing application availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If comprehensive data migration is performed on large customer databases, then complete data format transformation is achieved, but migration time and resource consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata migration completenessVSAvoidmigration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different migration qualities to different data objects based on their usage patterns. Critical data objects with high read/write frequencies receive thorough, consistency-guaranteed migration, while less critical data objects receive streamlined migration. This local quality differentiation ensures migration completeness for important data while reducing overall migration time through selective optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables continuous data migration during application operation by identifying and migrating data objects that can be transformed without affecting application functionality. This continuous migration approach maintains data transformation completeness over time while keeping the application productive, avoiding large batch migrations that would cause significant downtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP2199932B1Selectable data migration
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 SAP SE
  • EP2199932B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2199932B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2199932B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In some example embodiments, a computerized method includes determining at least one of a read frequency, a write frequency and a data volume for data persistently stored. The data has a first format. The method also includes selecting a first type of data migration or a second type of data migration, wherein the selecting is derived from at least one of the read frequency, the write frequency and the data volume for the data persistently stored. The method includes transforming the data to a second format using the selected data migration. The method includes outputting the data for storage in machine-readable medium.