Fan Out Visualization for Data Copy Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Enterprise backup systems lack an intuitive and user-friendly method for administrators to view and manage multiple copies of snapshots stored across various storage arrays, making it difficult to ascertain the number and location of data object copies.
Innovation Solution
A system that provides a graphical fan out visualization of data objects and their copies across different file stores, allowing administrators to easily identify primary and secondary data objects and their relationships, with features like search and sort functions to organize data intuitively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple storage arrays are used to store snapshots for redundancy and ease of access, then data reliability and accessibility are improved, but the complexity of managing and tracking data copies across arrays increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a graphical user interface as an intermediary layer between the administrator and the complex multi-array storage system. This interface automatically discovers, tracks, and visualizes data copies across multiple storage arrays, presenting simplified information about data location and redundancy status without requiring administrators to directly manage the underlying complexity of multiple arrays and their copy relationships.
2Ease of operation
If multiple storage arrays are used to store snapshots, then data accessibility is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring data copy distribution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical user interface employs visual indicators including color-coded representations to display data copy status and distribution. Different colors or visual states indicate whether copies exist, their location across arrays, and their accessibility status, making it easy for administrators to detect and measure data copy distribution at a glance without complex queries or manual tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical interface acts as a mediator that automatically queries and consolidates information from multiple storage arrays, translating raw storage data into intuitive visual representations of copy distribution, location, and accessibility status.
3Ease of operation
If a detailed view of all data copies across storage arrays is provided, then management capability is improved, but the interface complexity and information overload increase
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical user interface segments information presentation by allowing administrators to view data copies in organized groups or categories. The interface can display information hierarchically or in filtered views, breaking down the complex data about multiple arrays and copies into manageable segments that reduce information overload while maintaining comprehensive management capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing a graphical representation of copies of a data object stored across a plurality of storage arrays are provided. A primary data object stored in a first file store and one or more secondary data objects stored on one or more secondary file stores are identified. The one or more secondary data objects represent one or more copies of the primary data object. A graphic representing the primary data object and its relationship to the one or more secondary data objects is provided for display on a user interface.