Hybrid Block-Object Storage for Disaster Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disaster recovery systems face challenges in optimizing the performance of computer backup systems within a given cost constraint, as faster recovery times require more expensive storage, leading to increased costs, and existing methods fail to efficiently select the most critical snapshots for rapid recovery.
Innovation Solution
The method involves storing disaster recovery data in both object-oriented and block-oriented formats, using recovery time objectives to determine the number of copies to store in block-oriented format, and selecting a subset of copies to be stored in clusters, with each cluster containing a copy with the highest number of blocks, to optimize storage and recovery efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If more copies of data are stored in block-oriented format, then recovery time is reduced, but storage cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating storage locations for different data copies. Critical snapshots are stored in block-oriented storage for rapid recovery, while non-critical snapshots are stored in object-oriented storage for cost efficiency. This selective approach optimizes recovery time for essential data without incurring full storage costs for all copies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data storage system into two distinct storage tiers: block-oriented storage for critical snapshots and object-oriented storage for non-critical snapshots. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for both speed and cost by placing different types of data in appropriate storage locations based on recovery priorities.
2Speed
If all copies are stored in block-oriented format, then recovery speed is maximized, but storage cost becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by assigning different storage characteristics to different copies based on their recovery criticality. Block-oriented storage provides high-speed recovery for critical snapshots, while object-oriented storage provides cost-effective storage for non-critical snapshots, achieving optimal balance between speed and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by storing only the necessary number of critical snapshots in block-oriented storage rather than all copies. This partial approach to fast storage maximizes recovery speed for essential data while avoiding the excessive cost of storing all copies in expensive block storage.
3Quantity of substance
If fewer copies are stored in block-oriented format, then storage cost is reduced, but recovery time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses local quality to place critical snapshots in block-oriented storage and non-critical snapshots in object-oriented storage. This selective placement ensures that the limited block storage capacity is used for data that requires fast recovery, minimizing recovery time for essential operations while controlling overall storage cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by storing only the minimum necessary copies in block-oriented storage to meet recovery time objectives. This partial approach achieves cost reduction while maintaining adequate recovery performance for critical data by relying on object-oriented storage for less time-sensitive snapshots.
Data Source
AI summary
An illustrative method for storing disaster recovery data includes receiving a plurality of copies of data stored by a first memory device. Each of the plurality of copies includes a plurality of blocks of data. The method also includes storing, in a second memory device, the plurality of copies in an object-oriented format, determining, using recovery time objectives, a number of the plurality of copies to be stored in a block-oriented format, and selecting a subset of the plurality of copies having the determined number of the plurality of copies. The method further includes assigning each of the other copies of the plurality of copies to one of a plurality of clusters. Each cluster of the plurality of clusters includes one of the subset of the plurality of copies. The method also includes determining, for each cluster, a copy having a highest number of blocks also present in the other copies of the cluster and storing, in the block-oriented format, the determined copy from each cluster in a third memory device.