Selective Database Object Restoration via Metadata Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for backing up and restoring enterprise-level databases are resource-intensive and require detailed knowledge of the database structure, making selective restoration of specific data portions time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for selectively restoring portions of a monolithically backed up database by using metadata gathered during the backup process to locate and restore specific objects and their hierarchical relationships, allowing for targeted restoration without requiring familiarity with the database structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If granular backup scheme is used to enable selective restoration, then restoration targeting is improved, but backup complexity and administrator knowledge requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monolithic database backup into individual object-level restore capabilities by using metadata to identify and extract specific objects. The backup remains monolithic for efficiency, but the restore process is segmented to allow selective recovery of individual objects or sets of objects without restoring the entire database.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces metadata as an intermediary layer between the monolithic backup and the restore operation. This metadata contains object identifiers, hierarchical relationships, and location information that enables selective restoration without requiring the administrator to understand the underlying database structure. The metadata acts as a map that simplifies the restore process.
2Ease of manufacture
If monolithic backup is used to simplify backup process, then ease of operation is improved, but restoration time and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary objects and their metadata from the monolithic backup for restoration. Instead of restoring the entire database, the system uses metadata to identify and extract only the specific objects needed, significantly reducing restoration time and resource consumption while maintaining the simplicity of monolithic backup.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions during the backup process by creating and storing metadata that indexes object locations, hierarchical relationships, and dependencies. This preliminary organization of data during backup enables rapid selective restoration later, as the metadata is already prepared to guide the extract operation without requiring full database restoration.
3Measurement precision
If traditional granular backup is used for selective restoration, then restoration precision is improved, but personnel resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by making the backup system automatically manage the complexity of selective restoration. The metadata-driven approach allows the system to automatically identify, extract, and restore the correct objects without requiring administrator intervention or deep knowledge of database structure. The system serves itself by using the stored metadata to guide the restoration process.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a mechanism to selectively restore portions of a monolithically backed up database, while maintaining hierarchical relationships and other metadata relationships of the restored portions of the database. Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer-readable storage medium that provides for receiving a request to restore a selected object from among a plurality of backed up objects in a database backup, locating information associated with the selected object in the database backup, and restoring the object-to-restore using the information associated with the selected object in a target area. Database table metadata is gathered from the backed up database at the time the backup was created in order to locate the information associated with the selected object.