File Server Snapshot Backup Workflow Optimization

Solution Overview

Problem

Current data storage systems using network file sharing protocols face inefficiencies in data backup processes due to extensive communications between storage devices and servers, leading to increased latency, network bandwidth usage, and decreased resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a file server that uses a network file sharing protocol to create snapshots of data for backup, reducing data movements by offloading backup processing and sending notifications to manage the backup workflow efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If extensive communications are used between storage devices, client computers, file servers, and other servers for data backup, then data backup can be performed using network file sharing protocol, but response latency increases, network bandwidth is consumed, and computer resource utilization decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata backup efficiencyVSAvoidresponse latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the backup processing function from the file server and application server, creating a dedicated backup server to handle backup operations. This separation removes the burden of backup communications from the file server, reducing its workload and response latency while maintaining backup efficiency through specialized hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The backup workflow is segmented into distinct phases: snapshot creation by the file server, data transfer to backup server, and backup storage management. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing overall system latency and improving resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If extensive communications are used between storage devices, client computers, file servers, and other servers for data backup, then data backup can be performed using network file sharing protocol, but network bandwidth is consumed and computer resource utilization decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata backup efficiencyVSAvoidcomputer resource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the backup processing function from the file server and application server, creating a dedicated backup server to handle backup operations. This separation removes the burden of backup communications from the file server, reducing its workload and response latency while maintaining backup efficiency through specialized hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The backup server acts as an intermediary between the file server and target storage devices, consolidating backup communications through a single dedicated server. This intermediary role reduces the number of communication paths and resource consumption across the network while maintaining backup functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the number of communications is reduced through batching, then some efficiency improvement can be achieved, but the number of communications required remains suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup process efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the backup processing function from the file server and application server, creating a dedicated backup server to handle backup operations. This separation removes the burden of backup communications from the file server, reducing its workload and response latency while maintaining backup efficiency through specialized hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the backup workflow based on real-time conditions, allowing the file server to create snapshots and the backup server to manage data transfer flexibly. This dynamic approach optimizes communication timing and reduces the total number of communications required compared to static batching approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10042719B1Optimizing application data backup in SMB

Publication Date: 2018.08.07 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

Embodiments described herein use a file server implementing a network file sharing protocol in an improved backup workflow in a storage system. The file server provides storage services to files stored in a plurality of storage devices via one or more file sharing protocols. In one embodiment, in response to a request to back up data that is received at the file server from an application server, the file server creates a snapshot of the data to be backed up using data stored in a source storage device. The file server sends the created snapshot to the target storage system for storage and sends a first notification to the application server indicating that the snapshot has been backed up in the target storage system. In addition, the application server sends a second notification to a backup server indicating that the data has been backed up.