Hybrid Data Buffer Restore Using Read-Ahead ISR

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Solution Overview

Problem

Restore operations in data storage systems often abort unexpectedly, leading to increased restore windows and corrupted production data due to partial data writes, requiring restarts from the beginning despite completed portions.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a hybrid data buffer and interrupt service routine (ISR) to identify and manage abrupt aborts, ensuring uninterrupted restore operations by freezing the hybrid data buffer during aborts and resuming from the previous state in subsequent sessions, using a read-ahead buffer and operational buffer to track and route backup data blocks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If restore operation is aborted unexpectedly, then data integrity is compromised with partial writes, but restarting from the beginning increases restore window and loses completed progress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidrestore window

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a read-ahead buffer that pre-loads backup data blocks before they are needed for restoration. This preliminary action ensures that when a restore operation is interrupted, the buffer already contains data that can be used to resume restoration without restarting from the beginning, thus maintaining data integrity while reducing restore window

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an interrupt service routine (ISR) with reserved addresses to track and remember the state of restore operations. When an abort occurs, the system can resume from the recorded state rather than restarting, ensuring continuous useful action and preventing loss of completed restoration progress

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Reliability

If restore operation restarts from the beginning after abort, then data corruption is avoided, but restore window increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidrestore operation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism through the interrupt service routine that continuously monitors the restore operation state and records progress in reserved addresses. This feedback allows the system to detect aborts and resume from the correct state, maintaining data integrity while improving productivity by avoiding unnecessary restarts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical restart-from-beginning approach with a software-based state recovery mechanism using the read-ahead buffer and ISR. This substitution allows the system to maintain data integrity through controlled resumption rather than forced restart, significantly improving restore operation efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11940878B2Uninterrupted block-based restore operation using a read-ahead buffer

Publication Date: 2024.03.26 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

Methods and systems for restoring data are described. According to some embodiments, the method, in response to receiving a first restore request, initiates a second restore request to a hybrid data buffer to route blocks of backup data to the hybrid data buffer. The method further invokes an interrupt service routine (ISR) that is initialized with reserved addresses. When the blocks of backup data are transmitted to the hybrid data buffer, the method further tags, by the ISR, the blocks of backup data to a specified location, where the specified location is one of the reserved addresses.