Data Probe Backup Using Cache Disk Array Footprints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Backup and restore operations often abort unexpectedly, leading to partially written or corrupted data and increased backup or restore windows, requiring restarts from the beginning despite completed portions of the operation.
Innovation Solution
A data probe approach using a cache disk array to capture and utilize marginal footprints of data packets, allowing uninterrupted backup or restore sessions by identifying the abort point and resuming from there, thus avoiding increased operational windows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If backup or restore operation is restarted from the beginning after an abort, then data integrity is ensured, but backup or restore window increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing footprints of data packets in a cache disk array before the actual backup or restore operation completes. These footprints serve as checkpoints that allow the operation to resume from the point of abort rather than restarting from the beginning, thus maintaining data integrity while reducing the backup window
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring the backup or restore operation status and using the captured footprints to determine the exact point of abort. This feedback enables the system to intelligently resume operations from the correct checkpoint, ensuring data integrity while minimizing redundant operations and reducing the overall backup window
2Productivity
If backup operation continues after unexpected abort, then productivity is maintained, but data corruption risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cache disk array captures footprints of data packets as preliminary actions before the main backup operation completes. These footprints serve as verified checkpoints that indicate successfully written data, allowing the system to safely resume from these known-good points without risking data corruption
Solution Approach 2:
The cache disk array acts as an intermediary between the source and target storage systems. It holds footprints of data packets that have been successfully written, serving as a mediation layer that enables safe resumption of operations without directly compromising the integrity of the final backup data
3Reliability
If cache disk array is used to capture footprints, then uninterrupted backup is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cache disk array serves multiple functions: it captures footprints of data packets, stores checkpoint information for resumption, and acts as a buffer between source and target systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing device complexity while achieving uninterrupted backup capability
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for backing up data to a target device are described. According to some embodiments, the method receives a first set of data packets for backup, where the first set of data packets includes a multiplicity of data chunks. The method further captures footprints of the first set of data packets in a cache disk array. In response to receiving an acknowledgement from the cache disk array indicating the footprints have been captured, the method further initiates a write operation to write each data chunk of the first set of data packets to the target device. In response to receiving an acknowledgement indicating the data chunk is successfully written, the method further flushes the respective footprint of the data chunk from the cache disk array.