Dynamic Backup LUN Allocation via Automatic Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data backup systems require users to have explicit knowledge of source LUNs and their relationships to target LUNs or database applications, necessitating preassignment of target LUNs and manual matching, which is cumbersome and limits backup versions to a single version.
Innovation Solution
A system where users only provide target LUN serial numbers, allowing for automatic detection and dynamic generation of .fct files, eliminating the need for user knowledge of source LUNs and their characteristics, and enabling multiple backup versions by programmatically allocating backup LUNs and data containers based on user input and available resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users manually preassign target LUNs and create source-target LUN pairs, then backup operations can be performed, but user knowledge of source LUNs and their characteristics is required, increasing operation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically discovers source LUNs by querying database applications and self-configures target LUN assignments without requiring user knowledge of source LUN characteristics. The backup server performs self-service by dynamically generating .fct files based on automatic LUN discovery and availability checking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-checking target LUN availability and pre-assigning target LUNs to backup hosts before actual backup operations. The .fct files are pre-configured with valid target LUNs that have been verified as available on the storage subsystem.
2Adaptability or versatility
If target LUNs are preassigned outside the backup application context, then backup host assignment is determined, but flexibility in backup version management is limited to single version
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically manages target LUN assignments and data container configurations based on backup version requirements. Multiple .fct files can be generated with different target LUN assignments, enabling flexible management of multiple backup versions. The system adapts target LUN selection based on availability and versioning needs rather than static preassignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments backup management into separate .fct files for different backup versions and data containers. Each .fct file contains specific target LUN assignments for particular backup versions, allowing independent management and validation of each backup version without affecting others.
3Adaptability or versatility
If source-target LUN pairs are pre-matched by user, then backup operations can proceed, but system cannot accommodate dynamic growth of source LUNs without user intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring database application LUN usage and automatically detecting changes in source LUN configurations. When new source LUNs are detected, the system automatically updates .fct files and generates new data containers without requiring user intervention, maintaining adaptability to dynamic LUN growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup server performs self-service by automatically discovering new source LUNs through database queries and self-configuring appropriate target LUN assignments. The system autonomously updates its configuration files and data container structures to accommodate dynamically grown LUN sets.
4Loss of information
If .fct files contain explicit source LUN serial numbers and target LUN pairs, then backup mapping is defined, but user must have explicit knowledge of LUN identifying numbers and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary automatic discovery of source LUNs and their characteristics before generating .fct files. Target LUNs are pre-selected and pre-validated for availability and compatibility, eliminating the need for users to manually input LUN identifying numbers and characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup server autonomously queries database applications to discover source LUNs, automatically determines appropriate target LUNs from available storage resources, and self-generates the .fct files with correct mappings. This self-service approach eliminates user burden of knowing LUN details while ensuring accurate mapping information is captured.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for managing a backup process of a database are disclosed. Typically, one or more backup logical unit numbers (LUNs) are identified in a backup management file from one or more available LUNs identified in a universe file are allocated. The backup management file comprises a plurality of data containers, each data container specifying a subset of the one or more backup LUNs capable of backing up a database comprising one or more used database LUNs. One of the plurality of the data containers are allocated for a current backup of the database as indicated in the backup management file. The backup management file is checked and updated as necessary so that the one or more backup LUNs remain available as indicated in the universe file.