Dynamic Backup Target Selection for Mobile Assets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional backup systems face challenges in dynamically selecting optimal backup targets for mobile data assets, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to fixed target configurations and the need for manual updates, which can result in data loss and compliance issues.
Innovation Solution
A backup system that dynamically selects a temporary backup target based on network throughput and availability, allowing incremental backups to be sent to a temporary target for later consolidation at a primary target, reducing data loss and improving performance by using existing or on-demand infrastructure providers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed backup target is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but backup performance and reliability deteriorate when network connectivity is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The backup system dynamically selects backup targets based on current network conditions and asset location rather than using a fixed target. The backup agent evaluates multiple potential backup targets and chooses the optimal one at the time of backup, allowing the system to adapt to changing network connectivity and geographic location of mobile assets.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup agent autonomously evaluates network conditions and selects the best backup target without requiring manual intervention. The system automatically assesses available backup targets, compares their network connectivity, and determines the optimal target for each backup operation, enabling self-service backup target selection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If backup target is changed manually, then adaptability to asset location changes is improved, but time consumption and data loss risk increase due to full backup requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts backup targets based on asset location and network conditions without requiring manual reconfiguration. When an asset moves to a new location, the backup agent automatically identifies and selects the nearest or most accessible backup target, enabling continuous backup operations without interruption or time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple backup targets are pre-configured in advance across different geographic locations. When an asset moves or network conditions change, the system can immediately switch to a pre-established backup target without needing to create new backup infrastructure, eliminating the time required for full backup reconfiguration.
3Reliability
If multiple fixed backup targets are maintained for different locations, then backup availability is improved, but infrastructure cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Backup targets are designed to serve multiple assets and multiple locations universally. A single backup target can receive backups from multiple different assets regardless of their geographic location, and the same backup target can serve as the optimal target for different assets at different times. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of backup targets needed while maintaining backup availability.
4Productivity
If incremental backup is used with dynamic target selection, then backup speed is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backup agent continuously monitors network conditions, asset location, and backup target status, using this feedback to dynamically select the optimal backup target. The system incorporates feedback loops that assess current conditions before each backup operation and adjust target selection accordingly, enabling fast incremental backups while managing complexity through automated decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are described for a system that automatically determines the ideal backup target for the backup agent to send its backup data. The system will automatically create and destroy temporary backup targets in order to handle the current backup traffic and provide the optimal throughput based on speed of the backup agent and reliability of the storage target. The backup agent is able to send incremental backups to any temporary backup target, which are later consolidated on the storage target after the agent has disconnected from the system. The final storage target may be an original primary storage target for the data asset or one of the temporary storage targets.