Host-Aware Backup Policy Configuration for Storage Assets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data storage systems face challenges in managing backup policies across large numbers of storage groups and assets, often leading to inconsistencies and conflicts due to the lack of host-aware management, which can result in inefficient data protection and recovery processes.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for discovering and configuring storage devices associated with particular hosts, providing centralized management capabilities to create host-aware backup policies by validating protectable storage devices and retrieving configuration settings, thus preventing inconsistencies and conflicts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If centralized management tools are implemented to manage backup policies for large numbers of storage groups and assets, then management efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanagement efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary component that discovers and maps storage assets to their associated hosts, creating a bridging layer between the centralized management tool and the distributed storage infrastructure. This intermediary resolves the complexity by automating the association process rather than requiring direct complex management of all assets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service automation where the management tool automatically discovers storage assets, identifies their host associations, and configures backup policies without manual intervention. This self-service approach improves productivity while managing complexity through automation rather than manual processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If storage assets are selected without accounting for particular hosts, then asset selection flexibility is improved, but backup consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveasset selection flexibilityVSAvoidbackup consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by automatically discovering and mapping storage assets to their associated hosts before backup policy configuration. This pre-established mapping ensures that when assets are selected for backup, their host associations are already known, preventing consistency issues while maintaining selection flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the discovery process continuously monitors and updates the association between storage assets and hosts. This feedback loop ensures that backup policies are consistently applied based on current host-asset relationships, maintaining reliability while allowing flexible asset selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If manual configuration of backup policies for each storage asset is performed, then configuration accuracy is improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying by creating templates or profiles for backup policies based on discovered host-asset associations. Once a policy is configured for a particular host pattern, it can be copied and applied to multiple similar assets, ensuring configuration accuracy while dramatically reducing the time required compared to manual configuration of each asset individually.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically adjusts configuration parameters based on the discovered host-asset relationships. By dynamically changing parameters such as backup schedules, retention policies, and storage targets based on the associated host's characteristics, the system maintains high configuration accuracy while eliminating manual configuration time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11262932B2Host-aware discovery and backup configuration for storage assets within a data protection environment

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

Described is a system for discovering and configuring backup settings for protectable storage assets of a storage array. The system may perform such discovery and configuration for a storage array by providing an efficient centralized management capability. In addition, the centralized management capability allows for the creation of backup policies that are host-aware. Accordingly, the system may account for the interrelationship between storage devices, storage groups, and host devices to prevent potential inconsistencies and conflicts that may arise when creating a centralized backup policy.