Indexing Splitter Metadata Transmission via Data Splitter
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current data protection systems face complexity in networking configuration and synchronization issues due to direct IP communication requirements between the indexing splitter and the replication protection appliance, leading to complications in setup and loose synchronization with the storage system data stream.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a communication mechanism where the indexing splitter piggybacks its metadata on the data splitter's communication channel to the replication protection appliance, enabling direct and synchronized transmission of file system metadata alongside regular storage system I/O commands, thus simplifying setup and improving synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the indexing splitter communicates directly with the RPA through IP connection, then the metadata can be transmitted to the RPA, but the networking configuration becomes complex and requires multiple parameters to be configured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the data splitter as an intermediary component between the indexing splitter and the RPA. The indexing splitter sends metadata to the data splitter, which then forwards it to the RPA. This eliminates the need for direct IP communication between the indexing splitter and RPA, simplifying networking configuration while maintaining reliable metadata transmission.
2Reliability
If the indexing splitter is configured with manual IP address and connectivity parameters, then the metadata stream can be directed to the RPA, but the setup process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic discovery and configuration mechanisms where the indexing splitter automatically retrieves the data splitter's endpoint information and establishes connectivity without manual IP address configuration. The system performs self-configuration by automatically obtaining necessary connectivity parameters, eliminating time-consuming manual setup while ensuring reliable metadata stream transmission.
3Device complexity
If the indexing splitter and data stream are transmitted through unconnected systems, then the system architecture remains simple, but only loose synchronization by time proximity is possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the metadata transmission path with the data stream transmission path by having both the indexing splitter and data splitter send their respective streams through the same data splitter infrastructure to the RPA. This unified approach maintains architectural simplicity while enabling tight synchronization, as both streams traverse the same connected system and can be precisely correlated in time.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, and system for transmitting file system metadata from an indexing splitter running in a VM to a source side RPA is disclosed. The operations comprise: capturing one or more file system events in a production virtual machine (VM) at an indexing splitter; transmitting file system metadata representing the captured file system events from the indexing splitter to a data splitter, the data splitter being an agent running on a host system hosting the VM; transmitting the file system metadata inside one or more special input/output (I/O) commands associated with a predetermined tag from the data splitter to a source side replication protection appliance (RPA) alongside regular storage system I/O command data; identifying the special I/O commands at the source side RPA based on the predetermined tag; and recovering the file system metadata from the special I/O commands at the source side RPA.