ISCSI Server Private Writable Snapshots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for data management and protection, such as those involving pseudo-disk drivers and storage arrays, impose limitations on user access to private writable snapshots and backup copies, requiring specialized software and equipment, and do not allow for unlimited private writable environments or independent operation of snapshots.
Innovation Solution
An ISCSI server provides private writable snapshots and backup copies derived from block-level backup copies without invoking storage array limits, executing on any operating system and allowing user computing devices to access these environments without special software or pseudo-disk drivers, using sparse files, extent-files, and media agents to manage and configure these environments independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pseudo-disk drivers and specialized backup software are used to access block-level backup copies, then data protection and recovery capabilities are improved, but device complexity and software requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a storage server as an intermediary between client devices and backup storage. The storage server runs an ISCSI service that handles snapshot creation, management, and data access requests, eliminating the need for pseudo-disk drivers on client devices. This mediator approach maintains data protection reliability while reducing client-side software complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/software-based pseudo-disk driver approach with a network-based ISCSI protocol solution. Instead of installing specialized drivers on each client device, the system uses standard network protocols and storage virtualization on the server side, reducing device complexity while maintaining data protection capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If storage array snapshots are used to create private writable environments, then snapshot creation capability is improved, but the number of snapshots is limited by storage array constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The storage server's ISCSI service provides universal snapshot creation capabilities that are not limited by storage array constraints. The system can create snapshots from any block-level data source and serve multiple clients simultaneously, making the snapshot capability universal and scalable beyond storage array limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves snapshot management from the storage array dimension to the server software dimension. By implementing snapshot creation and management in the ISCSI service layer rather than relying on storage array hardware capabilities, the system gains an additional dimension of control and scalability, allowing unlimited snapshots constrained only by available storage capacity rather than array limits.
3Ease of operation
If specialized backup software is installed on user computing devices to access block-level backup copies, then data access capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to software installation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The storage server acts as a mediator that handles all complex backup and recovery operations centrally. Client devices only need standard ISCSI client functionality, which is built into most operating systems, eliminating the need to deploy specialized backup software on each device while maintaining full data access capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The ISCSI service on the storage server provides self-service snapshot management and data access capabilities. The server automatically handles snapshot creation, maintenance, and client access requests without requiring client devices to have specialized software, making the system easier to deploy and operate.
4Adaptability or versatility
If private writable snapshots are created from block-level backup copies, then data recovery flexibility is improved, but storage resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements block-level segmentation where snapshots are created at the block level rather than copying entire files or volumes. This allows the system to create multiple private writable snapshots from the same backup copy by managing blocks at a granular level, providing data recovery flexibility while minimizing redundant storage consumption through block sharing and deduplication.
Data Source
AI summary
An illustrative ISCSI server computing device provides user computing devices with “private writable snapshots” of a desired volume of data and/or further provides “private writable backup copies.” The ISCSI service is provided without invoking snapshot limits imposed by storage arrays and further without specialized backup software and pseudo-disk drivers installed on the user computing devices. A user can browse as well as edit personal versions of any number and/or versions of block-level backup copies—the “private writable backup copies.” Likewise, a user can browse and edit personal versions of any number of snapshots of one or more versions of one or more desired data volumes—the “private writable snapshots.” A user can have any number of co-existing private writable snapshots and private writable backup copies. Sparse files, extent-files, software snapshots, and/or media agents co-residing on the ISCSI server are used in the illustrative embodiments.