Database Granular Restore via Differential Bitmask
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current database restore methods from differential backups are inefficient, requiring the restoration of the entire database when only a few items need to be restored, as they lack mechanisms for granular restoration, leading to slow and inefficient processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the creation of a bitmask during differential backups, allowing for the logical merging of differential and full backup files to enable users to select and restore specific database objects, with the bitmask determining the correct location of selected items within the backup files for retrieval and restoration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the entire database is restored to enable granular restoration of specific items, then all database items can be recovered, but the restore time and storage resources are excessively consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the database backup into individual object-level components by creating a bitmask that tracks which specific database objects (tables, views, stored procedures, etc.) have changed since the last full backup. This allows the system to restore only the selected objects rather than the entire database, directly resolving the contradiction between granular restoration capability and restore time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by creating and storing a bitmask during the backup process that pre-identifies which database objects have changed. This preprocessing step enables rapid determination during restore operations of which objects need to be restored, eliminating the need to restore entire databases and significantly reducing restore time while maintaining granular restoration capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the entire full backup is restored and differential backup is applied to achieve granular restore, then all items are available, but the process is slow and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the restore process by using a bitmask to identify and separate individual database objects that have changed since the last full backup. This segmentation allows users to select and restore only specific objects from the differential backup without needing to restore the entire full backup first, thereby maintaining flexibility in selecting restore items while dramatically improving restore operation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by restoring only the specific database objects that have changed and are selected by the user, rather than performing the excessive action of restoring the entire full backup and applying the entire differential backup. This approach maintains adaptability in selecting restore items while improving productivity by avoiding unnecessary restore operations.
3Quantity of substance
If differential backup is used to reduce storage and network usage, then backup efficiency is improved, but granular restoration becomes difficult without restoring entire database
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the differential backup data into individual database object components by creating a bitmask that tracks changes at the object level. This segmentation enables granular restoration capability where users can select and restore only specific objects from the differential backup without needing to restore the entire database, thus maintaining ease of operation while preserving the space efficiency of differential backups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by creating a bitmask during the differential backup process that pre-identifies which specific database objects have changed. This preprocessing enables subsequent granular restoration operations to efficiently retrieve only the needed objects from the differential backup, maintaining both reduced backup data volume and improved granular restore capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for performing a granular restore operation of a database from a differential backup of the database. A bitmask is created during a differential backup and stored with the differential backup file. When a user requests a granular restore operation, views of how the database existed at different points of time may be presented to the user. The objects the user wishes to restore may be selected from one of the views. Next, the bitmask may be read to determine if the objects should be retrieved from the differential backup file or a full backup file. Finally, the objects may be restored to the database from the proper file.