Data Protection Agent for High Availability Cluster Backup

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Solution Overview

Problem

IT administrators face challenges in setting up effective data protection policies for enterprise systems, particularly in high availability clusters, due to lack of detailed knowledge about the systems and the dynamic nature of enterprise systems, leading to potential gaps in data protection and resource inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A data protection agent or server that receives cluster configuration data from a high availability cluster to identify and back up highly available data, implementing a backup policy that quiets application tiers before backing up data and uses a standby server to generate a point-in-time image without interrupting primary server operations, ensuring consistent and efficient data protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If IT administrators manually set up data protection policies without detailed knowledge of the systems, then the process can be completed, but the accuracy and effectiveness of data protection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of setting up backup policiesVSAvoideffectiveness of data protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The backup system automatically discovers and identifies data to be backed up by integrating with configuration management databases and system metadata, eliminating the need for administrators to manually specify backup targets. The system self-configures backup policies based on detected data characteristics and protection requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors system changes and automatically updates backup policies based on detected modifications. Configuration changes, new data creation, and protection requirement updates are automatically fed back into the backup policy management system to maintain accurate and current protection strategies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If IT administrators coordinate with system administrators to determine backup data, then data protection accuracy improves, but time consumption and resource usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of backup policyVSAvoidtime to set up backup policies
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The backup system acts as an intermediary that automatically collects system metadata and configuration information from various sources, including configuration management databases and system registries. This eliminates the need for direct coordination between administrators while maintaining accurate backup policy creation through automated information gathering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary automatic discovery and analysis of data to be backed up before backup operations begin. By pre-identifying backup targets and configuring policies in advance through automated system integration, the time required for manual coordination and policy setup is eliminated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If static backup policies are set up initially, then implementation is simple, but the policies fail to protect new or changed data in dynamic enterprise systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of policy implementationVSAvoidadaptability to system changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The backup system continuously monitors system dynamics and automatically adjusts backup policies in response to changes. New data, modified data structures, and changing protection requirements are automatically detected and incorporated into updated backup policies, maintaining both simplicity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops that monitor system changes and automatically trigger policy updates. Configuration management database updates, system event logs, and data change detections feed back into the policy management system to maintain current and effective backup strategies without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9275060B1Method and system for using high availability attributes to define data protection plans
Publication Date: 2016.03.01 COHESITY INC
  • US9275060B1 patent drawing
  • US9275060B1 patent drawing
  • US9275060B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A data protection agent or server running on a computing device receives a cluster configuration of a high availability cluster. The data protection agent or server identifies highly available data of an application running on the high availability cluster based on the clustering. The data protection agent or server then implements a data protection policy that backs up the highly available data.