Hybrid SQL Backup Restore Using VSS and VDI Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current SQL server backup and restore systems are inefficient due to the lack of support for incremental backups using the VSS framework, leading to separate and costly backup processes for SQL VSS snapshot-based and SQL VDI stream-based backups, which result in multiple copies of the same data and increased restore times.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid SQL backup and restore process that integrates SQL VSS full backups with SQL VDI incremental backups, allowing for point-in-time restores using a single hybrid SQL namespace, which reduces backup time and storage space requirements by using SQL VSS full backups as a base for VDI incremental backups.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate SQL VSS snapshot-based backups and SQL VDI stream-based backups are performed as separate processes, then both full backup capability and incremental backup capability are achieved, but storage space requirements increase and backup time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup capabilityVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges VSS full backup and VDI incremental backup into a unified backup chain where VDI incremental backups are performed on top of VSS full backups. This integration allows the system to maintain both snapshot-based and stream-based backup capabilities while storing data in a single consolidated location, eliminating the need for separate storage spaces for each backup type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal backup namespace that can accommodate both VSS snapshot backups and VDI stream backups. This unified namespace serves multiple functions: storing full backups, storing incremental backups, and enabling point-in-time recovery, thereby replacing the need for separate backup systems with a single multi-functional backup infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup capabilityVSAvoidbackup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines VSS and VDI backup operations into a single integrated process. Instead of executing separate backup jobs for VSS full backups and VDI incremental backups, the system performs them as a coordinated sequence where the VDI incremental backup operates on the VSS full backup foundation, reducing total backup time by eliminating redundant operations and data transfers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup capabilityVSAvoidrestore time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the restore operations for VSS and VDI backups into a unified restore process. The system can restore to any point in time by sequentially applying the VSS full backup and the appropriate VDI incremental backups from the same consolidated namespace, eliminating the need to search across multiple separate backup locations and reducing restore time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If multiple copies of the same data are maintained for VSS and VDI backups, then both backup types can function independently, but storage space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup reliabilityVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates multiple backup copies into a single unified backup chain stored in one namespace. The VDI incremental backups reference the VSS full backup as their base, creating a linked chain rather than separate copies. This maintains backup reliability through the complete backup chain while storing all data in a single location, eliminating redundant storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10108497B1Point-in-time restore using SQL VDI incremental backup over SQL VSS snapshot backup and recover

Publication Date: 2018.10.23 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

Embodiments for a system and method of performing restores of SQL database data, querying a backup history log to determine a sequence of full and incremental backups of the data, first restoring data from a full backup using a SQL volume shadow service (VSS) writer, placing the database into a recovering mode during the first restoring, and second restoring data from an incremental backup using a SQL virtual device interface (VDI) process while the database is in recovering mode until a stop signal is generated to form a hybrid restore process, where the stop signal comprises a STOPAT clause of the SQL VDI process that restores the database content until a given restore time.