Geolocation-Based Backup Storage Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data protection solutions in network computing environments face inefficiencies due to arbitrary selection of backup storage locations, leading to operational inefficiencies and inadequate disaster protection, as they often prioritize proximity for data transfer efficiency over geographic separation for disaster recovery.
Innovation Solution
A method that utilizes geographical location information to determine the optimal backup storage location by satisfying distance requirements, such as disaster impact diameter and primary distance limits, to ensure both efficient data protection and compliance with disaster recovery standards, involving a backup agent that configures the source device and target storage for data backup over the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If backup storage is selected based on proximity to source device, then data transfer efficiency is improved, but disaster recovery capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selecting different backup storage locations based on the specific disaster risk profile of each source device's geographical location. Devices in disaster-prone areas are assigned backup storages in different geographical zones, while devices in safe areas may use nearby storages, thus tailoring the backup strategy to local disaster risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of geographical location analysis into the backup storage selection process. By evaluating the geographical coordinates and disaster risk zones of both source devices and backup storages, the system determines whether to prioritize proximity or geographical separation based on the source device's location, thus adding a spatial dimension to the decision-making process.
2Device complexity
If arbitrary decisions are used for selecting backup storage, then device complexity is reduced, but operational efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically determining the geographical location of source devices and autonomously selecting appropriate backup storages based on pre-configured disaster risk zone data. This eliminates the need for administrators to manually evaluate geographical factors, thus maintaining low operational complexity while achieving efficient, location-aware backup selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring disaster risk zone data and backup storage location information in the system before actual backup operations. This allows the system to quickly make location-aware decisions during backup operations without complex real-time analysis, thus maintaining operational efficiency while improving backup selection quality.
3Device complexity
If centralized backup storage is used for all devices, then storage management is simplified, but geographical disaster protection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the backup storage selection into different groups based on the geographical location and disaster risk zone of each source device. Instead of a single centralized selection process, the system segments backup decisions by evaluating each source device's location independently and assigning backup storages from appropriate geographical zones, thus achieving both simplified management and geographical disaster protection.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for using geographical location information to provision one or more target storages for a source device. A determination is made of a geographical location of the source device and of geographical locations of the target storages. A determination is made of one of the target storages whose distance from the source device based on the geographical locations of the source device and the target storages satisfies at least one distance requirement. A configuration procedure is initiated to configure the source device and the determined target storage to have the source data backed-up from the source device to the target storage over the network.