Immutable Backup Retention Span Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current database backup solutions lack the ability to configure retention spans for files during backup operations, making it difficult to ensure data integrity and security by allowing manipulation or deletion of backed-up files over time.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for generating immutable database backups with configurable retention spans, allowing users to set specific periods for files to be locked and protected from manipulation or deletion, using a client protection agent and backup storage system that generates backup archive log images and locks them for additional retention spans.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If backup files are stored on secondary storage without retention locks, then storage space is efficiently utilized and files can be managed flexibly, but data integrity and security are compromised allowing manipulation or deletion of backed-up files

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidfile management flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic retention spans where backup files are automatically locked for a specified retention period and then automatically unlocked and deleted. This dynamic approach balances data protection during the retention period with flexible management after the retention period expires, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures retention spans and locking mechanisms before backup operations occur. By establishing retention policies in advance, the system ensures data integrity is maintained automatically without requiring manual intervention during the retention period, while still allowing flexible management after the predetermined retention period expires.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If backup files are locked indefinitely for retention, then data security is maximized preventing any manipulation or deletion, but storage space cannot be recovered and system resources are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata securityVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dynamic retention spans that automatically expire after a predetermined period. During the retention period, files are locked for security; after expiration, locks are automatically removed and space is freed. This resolves the contradiction by providing strong security only when needed, rather than indefinitely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically discards backup files after their retention span expires and recovers the storage space they occupied. This automated discarding and space recovery process ensures that data security is maintained during the retention period while storage resources are efficiently reclaimed afterward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual retention policy configuration is required for each backup file, then customized data protection is achieved, but operational complexity and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomized data protectionVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a universal retention policy mechanism that automatically applies to all backup files. A single configuration of retention span parameters enables customized data protection across multiple files and databases without requiring individual manual configuration, thus achieving adaptability while reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically manages retention policies without requiring manual intervention. Backup files are automatically locked, retained for the specified span, and then automatically unlocked and deleted based on the configured retention policy, enabling customized data protection while eliminating the operational complexity of manual management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If retention spans are extended to ensure long-term data protection, then data availability for recovery is improved, but storage resource consumption increases over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata availabilityVSAvoidretention period

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements configurable retention spans that balance data availability needs with storage resource constraints. By allowing the retention period to be dynamically adjusted based on organizational requirements, the system ensures data is available for recovery during the retention period while automatically freeing resources after expiration, resolving the contradiction between extended retention and resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11593215B2Method and system for generating immutable backups with configurable retention spans

Publication Date: 2023.02.28 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

In general, the invention relates to a method for performing backup operations. The method includes generating a backup on backup storage system, locking the backup for a retention span, generating a backup archive log image using archive log files for the backup, and locking the backup archive log image for a second retention span.