File Segment Map for Granular Backup and Restore
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional file systems lack the ability to efficiently backup and restore individual data portions of a file, leading to inefficient backup processes where entire files are backed up or restored even if only a small portion has been modified, and they do not maintain access pattern information specific to file portions, which can enhance system performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an access manager that collects and maintains modification and access pattern information for individual data portions of a file, allowing for incremental backup and caching optimizations by processing only modified portions and preloading frequently accessed data into memory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional file systems backup entire files to ensure data protection, then reliability of data backup is improved, but productivity of backup operations deteriorates due to unnecessary processing of unmodified portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides files into multiple data portions and maintains separate metadata for each portion, including individual modification timestamps. This segmentation allows the backup system to identify and process only the specific portions that have been modified, rather than backing up entire files. The file segment map stores pointers to individual data portions, enabling granular control over backup operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements incremental backup by performing partial backup actions on only the necessary portions of files. Instead of executing complete backup operations on entire files, the system performs minimal backup actions on just the modified data portions, reducing overall backup time and resource consumption while maintaining data protection.
2Reliability
If conventional file systems restore entire files from backup, then reliability of data restoration is improved, but productivity of restore operations deteriorates due to unnecessary processing of intact portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments restored files into multiple data portions with individual metadata tracking. During restoration, the system retrieves only the specific data portions that need to be restored based on modification information, rather than restoring entire files. This segmented approach maintains data integrity while significantly reducing restore time and computational resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables partial restoration operations where only the necessary portions of files are restored from backup. By examining modification timestamps and segment metadata, the system performs minimal restoration actions on only the affected data portions, avoiding unnecessary processing of intact file portions.
3Ease of operation
If file modification information is tracked at the file level, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates because specific modified portions cannot be identified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides files into multiple data portions and maintains separate metadata records for each portion, including individual modification timestamps and identifiers. This segmentation provides precise measurement of which specific portions have been modified, enabling granular tracking while maintaining operational simplicity through automated metadata management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a file segment map as an intermediary data structure that stores pointers and metadata for individual data portions. This intermediary layer enables precise tracking of modifications at the portion level without requiring complex changes to the underlying file system operations, maintaining ease of operation while achieving measurement precision.
4Productivity
If access pattern information is maintained for individual data portions, then productivity of caching operations is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional information management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments access pattern tracking by maintaining separate metadata for each data portion, including access frequency and timing information. This segmented approach enables targeted caching decisions for frequently accessed portions while avoiding unnecessary complexity in managing access information for entire files, improving caching productivity with controlled complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the file segment map and metadata structure multi-functional, using the same segmented data structure for both modification tracking and access pattern monitoring. This universal approach allows the system to perform multiple functions (backup, restore, caching, monitoring) using the same underlying segmented metadata infrastructure, improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for maintaining access information for individual data portions within a file. Generally, the system disclosed herein provides a method for procuring and maintaining various access information specific to data portions within a file. Thus, by providing specific access information to a file data portion the access manager allows a process to perform processing on the individual file data portion. Consequently, the process can operate more efficiently since it is no longer required to access and perform processing on the entire file.