Local Flash Memory Hybrid Continuous Data Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Continuous Data Protection (CDP) systems fail to protect data when network connectivity is unavailable, particularly for mobile users, and traditional backup solutions using hard drives are bulky and power-intensive.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing local flash memory, such as USB thumb drives, to store backup copies of recently modified data, which are replicated on a local flash drive when network connectivity is absent, and then sent to a remote CDP server once connectivity is established, allowing for continuous data protection and efficient power management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data is replicated on a remote server continuously, then data protection reliability is improved, but network dependency increases and mobile usability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata protection reliabilityVSAvoidmobile usability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The backup system is segmented into two independent components: local flash memory for immediate data protection and remote server for long-term archival. This segmentation allows the system to function autonomously locally while maintaining remote backup capabilities, resolving the contradiction between reliability and mobile usability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Local flash memory acts as an intermediary between the hard drive and remote server. It captures data changes locally when network is unavailable, then synchronizes with the remote server when connectivity is restored, enabling continuous protection without network dependency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If redundant local hard drive is used for data replication, then data protection is improved, but device portability and power consumption deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata protectionVSAvoiddevice portability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical hard drive system is replaced with solid-state flash memory for local backup operations. This substitution eliminates moving parts, reducing weight and improving portability while maintaining data protection capabilities through electrical storage mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If redundant local hard drive is used for data replication, then data protection is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata protectionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical hard drive requiring active spinning is replaced with flash memory that consumes power only during data operations. This substitution dramatically reduces baseline power consumption while maintaining data protection functionality through solid-state storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Use of energy by moving object

If flash memory is used for local backup, then portability and power efficiency are improved, but data protection reliability deteriorates when network is unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoiddata protection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary data capture actions locally in flash memory before network connectivity is needed. By proactively storing data changes locally with autonomous operation, the system ensures data is protected immediately rather than waiting for network availability, thus maintaining reliability while using power-efficient flash memory.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

5Use of energy by moving object

If hybrid drive is used to store recent writes in flash memory, then power consumption and access time are improved, but continuous data protection capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcontinuous data protection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The backup functionality is extracted from the hybrid drive's internal flash memory and implemented as a separate system using dedicated flash memory devices. This extraction enables continuous data protection through autonomous local capture while maintaining the power efficiency and speed benefits of flash storage, without relying on the hybrid drive's limited caching capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS8862689B2Local flash memory and remote server hybrid continuous data protection

Publication Date: 2014.10.14 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

The present invention provides a way to use flash memory to keep backup copies of the recently modified data. The recently modified data is stored on a local hard drive and replicated (usually with versions) on a local flash drive when the network connectivity does not exist or not sufficient. As soon as the network connectivity is established the accumulated data is sent to the remote CDP server and the whole space of the flash drive can be reused again. As a result, the data is always replicated: one data copy is stored on the hard drive and the other copy is stored (usually with versions) either on a remote server or a local flash drive. Therefore, the combination of the data on the CDP server and the flash drive can be used to reconstruct the data stored on the hard drive.