Application File System Mounting at Intermediate Snapshot Timepoints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Application-Data Management Systems (ADMS) are limited in their ability to restore an application file system to an arbitrary point in time, especially when the reconstruction time falls between snapshot creation timepoints, as they cannot recreate the state of the file system without coincident snapshots.
Innovation Solution
The ADMS creates a version of the application file system at the selected reconstruction time by using a snapshot of the data file from a previous snapshot creation timepoint and a snapshot of the log file from a subsequent timepoint, replaying transactions to recreate the state, enabling mounting of the file system even at intermediate snapshot creation timepoints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the ADMS uses conventional snapshot-based restoration, then the file system can be restored to snapshot creation timepoints, but the file system cannot be restored to arbitrary intermediate timepoints between snapshots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the restoration process into two distinct components: a base snapshot taken at a previous timepoint and a log file containing transactions between the snapshot and desired timepoint. This segmentation allows the system to combine a stable base state with incremental changes to achieve precise restoration to any intermediate timepoint, not just snapshot boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-capturing log files that record all transactions occurring between snapshot creation timepoints. These log files are prepared and stored in advance, enabling the ADMS to replay transactions forward or backward from the base snapshot to reach any desired intermediate reconstruction timepoint without requiring a full snapshot at that exact moment.
2Quantity of substance
If the ADMS creates snapshots at fixed intervals, then storage resources are efficiently used, but restoration to arbitrary timepoints requires multiple snapshots increasing storage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential change information from between snapshots by capturing log files that record transactions. Instead of creating full snapshots at every possible restoration point (which would consume excessive storage), the system extracts and stores only the incremental transaction data needed to reconstruct intermediate states, significantly reducing storage requirements while maintaining precise restoration capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the ADMS replays transactions from log files to recreate intermediate states, then restoration to arbitrary timepoints is enabled, but the complexity of the restoration process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces log files as an intermediary component that mediates between snapshots and the restoration process. The log file serves as a bridge containing all transaction information, allowing the ADMS to systematically replay or rollback transactions to reach any desired timepoint. This intermediary structure provides a organized, manageable approach to handling complex restoration scenarios compared to managing multiple full snapshots.
Data Source
AI summary
An Application Data Management System (ADMS) enables an application file system to be mounted at any selected reconstruction time (TR). If the reconstruction time TR falls intermediate snapshot creation timepoints, the ADMS creates a version of the application file system at the selected reconstruction time TR using a snapshot of the data file from a previous application file system snapshot creation timepoint, and a snapshot of the log file from a subsequent application file system snapshot creation timepoint. The ADMS uses the snapshot of the log file from the subsequent snapshot creation timepoint to replay transactions on the snapshot of the data file from the previous snapshot creation timepoint up to the selected reconstruction time TR. This enables the state of the application file system to be recreated and mounted at any arbitrary selected reconstruction time, even if the selected reconstruction time is not coincident with snapshot creation timepoints.