Distributed Data Protection via Connection Broker
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Home users and small businesses face challenges in data protection due to the high cost of offsite data protection solutions, which are prohibitively expensive and lack centralized management, making them vulnerable to data loss from hardware failures, fires, and other calamities.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for cooperative data protection and sharing using a connection broker, license manager, and share site database, enabling data encryption and distribution over broadband connections to multiple sites, providing protection against hardware and software failures, and allowing users to manage storage limits and encryption for sensitive data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If offsite data protection solutions are used, then data protection reliability is improved, but cost increases to prohibitively expensive levels
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments data protection into multiple distributed storage locations (first site, second site, third site) rather than relying on a single centralized offsite solution. Data is divided and stored across these sites, making the protection system more affordable for home users and small businesses while maintaining reliability through distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates multiple copies of data across different geographic locations (first site, second site, third site). Instead of using expensive proprietary offsite protection hardware, the system uses software-based copying and distribution of data across standard storage devices at multiple locations, significantly reducing cost while maintaining protection reliability.
2Reliability
If data is stored in isolated locations, then security is maintained, but data sharing and centralized management become impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The connection broker acts as an intermediary that enables centralized management and coordination between the distributed storage sites. It facilitates data sharing and management operations across the first site, second site, and third site while maintaining the security benefits of distributed storage, resolving the contradiction between security isolation and centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides multi-functionality by combining distributed storage security with centralized management capabilities in a single architecture. The same system that distributes data for security also enables sharing and centralized control through the connection broker and license manager, eliminating the need to choose between security isolation and operational ease.
3Reliability
If data is distributed across multiple sites, then protection against calamities is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection broker serves as a simplifying intermediary that manages the complexity of distributed multi-site storage. It handles the coordination, data distribution, and recovery operations across the first site, second site, and third site, shielding users from the underlying system complexity while maintaining robust calamity protection through geographic distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated self-service mechanisms where the connection broker and license manager automatically handle data distribution, replication, and recovery operations across multiple sites. This automation reduces the operational complexity for users while maintaining reliable calamity protection through the distributed architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is an architecture, system, method, program product, licensing method, or apparatus for sharing and protecting data in a data storage environment, wherein there is more than one site for data storage and a connection broker is used.