Intelligent Backup Target Selection for Mobile Assets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional backup systems face challenges in dynamically selecting optimal backup targets for mobile assets, leading to inefficient data transfer and increased risk of data loss due to poor network connectivity and the need for manual target reconfiguration.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an intelligent destination target selection process that dynamically chooses backup targets based on attributes like network throughput and availability, using temporary backup targets that can be provisioned on-demand and consolidated to primary targets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed backup target is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but backup performance deteriorates due to poor network connectivity when assets move locations
Solution Approach 1:
The backup system dynamically selects backup targets based on the asset's current geographic location and network conditions. Instead of a static fixed target, the system evaluates multiple potential backup targets and chooses the optimal one for each backup operation, adapting to changing conditions as the asset moves between locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup agent on the asset automatically determines the optimal backup target without requiring manual user configuration. The system self-adjusts by evaluating network connectivity and location data, selecting the best backup target autonomously based on current conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If backup target is changed manually, then adaptability to asset location changes is improved, but time consumption increases due to requiring full backups instead of incremental backups
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes multiple potential backup targets in advance across different geographic locations. When the asset moves, the backup agent can immediately switch to a pre-configured target in the new location, avoiding the time-consuming process of setting up new backup infrastructure or performing full backups.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple backup targets are configured to serve the same asset, with each target capable of receiving incremental backups. The system can switch between targets seamlessly, allowing any target to function as the active backup destination based on current location, maintaining incremental backup efficiency across target changes.
3Measurement precision
If manual assignment of assets to backup policies is used, then policy control precision is maintained, but operational efficiency deteriorates due to continuous manual reconfiguration needed when assets move
Solution Approach 1:
The backup agent continuously monitors the asset's location and network conditions, providing feedback to automatically adjust backup target selection. This closed-loop system maintains precise policy compliance by evaluating current conditions and selecting appropriate targets, eliminating the need for manual policy reconfiguration while preserving policy accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically manages backup policy implementation by having the backup agent autonomously select optimal targets based on location and network conditions. Manual intervention is minimized to initial policy configuration, after which the system self-manages target selection and switching, dramatically reducing operational effort while maintaining policy precision.
4Reliability
If traditional backup systems are used, then infrastructure cost is controlled, but data loss risk increases due to inability to complete backups during asset mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts to changing network conditions by selecting backup targets with optimal connectivity at each moment. When the asset moves to a location with poor connectivity to the primary backup target, the system automatically identifies and switches to an alternative target with better connectivity, ensuring backup completion and data protection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple backup targets are pre-positioned across different geographic locations to provide redundancy before connectivity issues arise. This cushioning strategy ensures that if connectivity to one target deteriorates, alternative targets are already available and configured, preventing data loss without requiring reactive measures.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are described for a system that automatically determines the ideal backup target to send backup data. Temporary backup targets are automatically created to handle backups for mobile data assets. A backup agent sends incremental backups to any temporary backup target (TBT), which are later consolidated with primary backup target (PBT) data. To facilitate data backup to a TBT and restore operations from data located on a PBT or TBT, a Backup Location Catalog (BLC) is created for each asset to reside on the asset. A Change Record Catalog (CRC) is created for each TBT backup per asset and each CRC resides on the asset until the associated data is consolidated back to the PBT. Assets thus have access to all backups, including the data on the TBT(s) before that data is consolidated back to the PBT.