Database Sandbox Virtual Snapshot Creation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional sandbox systems require duplicating production data for testing, which is resource-intensive, prone to errors, and results in inconsistent data, making it difficult to accurately test application features without corrupting production data.
Innovation Solution
The system creates a sandbox using a virtual snapshot of production data, allowing authorized users to test applications without duplicating data, using immutable storage and persistence virtualization to ensure data integrity and reduce resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate copies of production data are made for sandbox testing, then data integrity for testing is improved, but computational resources and storage resources are significantly consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies virtualization to create a virtual copy of the production database that appears as a separate sandbox database but actually shares the same physical storage resources. This virtual copying approach maintains data integrity for testing while avoiding the resource consumption of physical data duplication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables a single production database to serve multiple functions simultaneously - acting as both the live production database and the sandbox testing database through virtualization. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate physical copies while maintaining testing integrity.
2Reliability
If separate copies of production data are made for sandbox testing, then data availability for testing is improved, but storage resources are significantly consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtualization to create a virtual representation of the production database that provides data availability for testing without requiring physical duplication of storage resources. The virtual sandbox database shares the same underlying storage as production.
Solution Approach 2:
The sandbox database is nested within the production database infrastructure through virtualization, where the sandbox appears as a separate entity but is contained within and shares resources with the production system, eliminating the need for external storage duplication.
3Stability of the object's composition
If all data is copied in a single transaction for sandbox creation, then data consistency is improved, but the process becomes impractical and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtualization to create an immediate virtual copy of the production database state without requiring a lengthy copying process. The virtual sandbox database reflects the production state at any given moment without requiring complete data duplication, enabling rapid sandbox creation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes the virtualization infrastructure and sandbox framework before testing begins, so that when sandbox creation is needed, the virtual environment is already in place and can quickly reflect the current production state without lengthy copying or reconciliation processes.
4Use of energy by moving object
If copied data is used for sandbox testing, then resource consumption is reduced, but data consistency between production and sandbox deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The virtualization approach creates a dynamic virtual copy that maintains consistency with production by reflecting the production state at any given moment. This virtual copying ensures data consistency without requiring resource-intensive synchronization processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The sandbox database transitions from a static copied state to a dynamic virtualized state that can adaptively reflect production changes. The virtualization layer dynamically maps sandbox operations to production data, maintaining consistency without requiring active synchronization.
5Use of energy by moving object
If production data is used directly for sandbox testing, then resource consumption is minimized, but production data corruption risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the database system into distinct logical layers - the production database layer and the sandbox virtual database layer. This segmentation allows direct use of production data resources while protecting production data through the virtualization barrier that prevents sandbox operations from corrupting production data.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtualization layer acts as an intermediary between sandbox operations and production data. It allows sandbox testing to access production data resources while filtering and protecting the underlying production data from any potentially harmful operations, eliminating corruption risk.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for creating a sandbox for an original tenant at a point in time, the original tenant having original tenant data stored in an immutable storage associated with an original tenant identifier, the original tenant data as of the sandbox creation point in time being a virtual snapshot of the original tenant data accessible by a sandbox tenant, where the sandbox tenant data can be changed without changing the original tenant data, and the original tenant data can be changed without changing the sandbox tenant data. A sandbox tenant is created by associating a sandbox tenant identifier with the virtual snapshot of the original tenant data and with sandbox tenant data created by the sandbox tenant subsequent to the sandbox creation point in time. Original tenant data is subsequently created and associated with the original tenant identifier, and is not accessible to the sandbox tenant.