Backup System Using Deduplicated Virtual Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data protection methods that combine deduplication and virtualization often result in diminishing returns of investment due to ad hoc implementations, lacking an efficient and integrated approach for managing data protection across multiple technologies.
Innovation Solution
A method that integrates native snapshot technology, virtualization, and deduplication to create and manage full and incremental backups, utilizing deduplicated virtual storage devices and virtual containers like vmdk files, which reduces storage and network bandwidth consumption by identifying and transferring only unique blocks, and allows for efficient consolidation and restore processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple data protection technologies (deduplication and virtualization) are implemented individually, then each technology provides benefit, but combining them in ad hoc manner results in diminishing returns of investment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines virtualization and deduplication technologies into a single integrated backup system where virtual machine images are created and deduplication is applied to the backup data. This merging eliminates the need for separate ad hoc implementations and achieves synergistic effects that improve both data protection and resource utilization while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup system is designed to perform multiple functions: creating virtual machine images, applying deduplication to reduce storage requirements, and managing both processes through a unified interface. This multi-functionality allows the system to deliver comprehensive data protection while avoiding the diminishing returns associated with separate individual implementations.
2Quantity of substance
If traditional backup methods are used without integration, then implementation is simpler, but storage and network bandwidth consumption is higher
Solution Approach 1:
By merging virtualization and deduplication into a unified backup process, the system achieves significant reductions in storage consumption and network bandwidth usage. The integrated approach allows deduplication to operate on virtual machine images, eliminating redundant data across multiple backups and reducing overall data volume stored and transmitted.
3Productivity
If ad hoc combinations of data protection technologies are used, then flexibility is maintained, but investment returns diminish
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges virtualization and deduplication technologies into a coordinated backup system that improves productivity through efficient resource utilization. The integration enables the system to leverage the strengths of both technologies simultaneously, achieving better backup performance and investment efficiency compared to ad hoc combinations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for protecting data. In some embodiments, this includes identifying a parent virtual container, identifying a linked child virtual container, creating a fast copy of the parent virtual container and the linked child virtual container, and consolidating the copy of the parent virtual container and the copy of the linked child virtual container based on the format of the parent virtual container.