Incremental Backup Timestamp Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Incremental backups have a limited availability period, making them unreliable over time, and existing methods require changes to backup components or devices to extend this period.
Innovation Solution
The technique involves setting timestamps for full and intervening incremental backup objects to a later time, delaying their expiration and thereby extending the restoration period of dependent incremental backups without modifying existing backup systems or components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If incremental backups are used to reduce storage and processing time, then backup efficiency is improved, but the availability period of the backup is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing full backups of backup objects before they are needed for restoration. Specifically, before an incremental backup is restored, the system performs a full backup of any backup objects that will be needed during restoration. This ensures that all required backup objects are available in advance, extending the availability period without requiring changes to the backup system components.
2Reliability
If the availability period of incremental backup is extended, then data reliability is improved, but existing methods require changes to backup components or devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by having the backup system perform full backups of backup objects automatically as part of the incremental backup process. The system serves itself by maintaining the necessary backup objects without requiring external intervention or changes to backup components. This extends the availability period while keeping the system structure unchanged.
3Adaptability or versatility
If full backup objects are included in incremental backup, then restoration capability is extended, but storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating full backup objects from the main incremental backup data. Instead of storing complete copies of all backup objects in the incremental backup, the system stores only the necessary portions and references to full backup objects. This allows the incremental backup to maintain restoration capability while minimizing storage space requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A set of objects associated with an incremental backup is determined where the set of objects includes one or more full backup objects associated with a full backup from which the incremental backup depends. A backup is performed using the set of objects, including by setting one or more timestamps associated with the one or more full backup objects to a time later than the full backup.