Journaling Interceptor for Continuous Data Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional backup systems often result in data loss for information created after the last scheduled backup, as they do not efficiently manage and protect data between scheduled backups.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an interceptor that continuously monitors input/output operations from user applications, generates meta-information packets for significant events, and uses a distributor to route this information to a journal logger for transformation and storage, enabling efficient data protection and recovery even between scheduled backups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional scheduled backup systems are used, then backup operations are simple to implement, but data created after the last backup cannot be recovered
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring and capturing data changes in real-time before actual backup operations are needed. The journaling mechanism preemptively records all data modifications, ensuring that recovery points are already prepared when recovery is needed, eliminating the need for complex post-change backup scheduling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a journaling layer as an intermediary between the file system and backup storage. This journal captures all data changes and presents them to the backup system in a structured format, simplifying the backup process while ensuring complete data capture. The journal acts as a buffer that decouples the complexity of continuous monitoring from the backup operation.
2Reliability
If continuous monitoring of data changes is implemented, then data recovery between backups is enabled, but system resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the continuous monitoring function into a separate journaling component that operates independently from the main backup system. This allows the monitoring to be performed with minimal impact on the primary system operations, as the journal captures changes asynchronously without blocking file system operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuously copying all data to backup storage, the system creates lightweight copies of only the changed data blocks in the journal. Each journal entry contains minimal metadata and change information, significantly reducing the resource overhead compared to full continuous replication while maintaining complete recoverability.
3Reliability
If all data changes are captured and stored, then complete data recovery is possible, but storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The journaling system applies local quality by storing different types of information with different levels of detail. Critical metadata (timestamps, block identifiers, change types) is stored with high precision, while actual data blocks are stored only when necessary. This selective storage approach ensures complete recoverability while minimizing redundant storage of unchanged data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements discarding and recovering by maintaining a rolling window of journal entries. Older journal entries that are no longer needed for recovery (based on retention policies or successful backup integration) are discarded, while essential recovery information is preserved. This allows the system to maintain complete recoverability within a bounded storage space.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method for information management comprises monitoring output from an application, wherein the output is monitored substantially continuously; determining if the output is associated with a predetermined type of version; and saving data associated with the output if the output is associated with the predetermined type of version.