Layered Backup Storage Switching for 3-2-1 Rule Compliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing backup systems face challenges in maintaining robustness and compliance with the 3-2-1 backup rule due to failures in storage devices or connection failures between them, leading to potential data loss.

Innovation Solution

A backup system and method that classifies backup storage devices into primary and secondary layers, ensuring primary backup data is stored in the primary layer and secondary backup data in the secondary layer, with mechanisms to switch storage devices if failures occur to maintain the arrangement rule.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If backup data is stored in multiple storage devices to comply with the 3-2-1 rule, then data safety is improved, but the complexity of managing and maintaining the backup arrangement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata safetyVSAvoidbackup arrangement management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The backup storage devices are segmented into two distinct layers: primary layer storage devices and secondary layer storage devices. This segmentation simplifies management by providing a clear hierarchical structure where primary backups are stored in the primary layer and secondary backups (backups of backups) are stored in the secondary layer, making it easier to track and maintain compliance with the 3-2-1 rule

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a layered dimension to the backup architecture by organizing storage devices into primary and secondary layers. This dimensional organization transforms the flat backup management problem into a structured hierarchical system, where the layer classification provides an additional organizational dimension that simplifies compliance verification and failure recovery procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If storage devices are classified into primary and secondary layers with specific backup arrangements, then compliance with backup rules is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup rule complianceVSAvoidlayered storage structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary classification of backup storage devices into primary and secondary layers before backup operations commence. This preliminary structuring establishes clear rules for where primary backups and secondary backups should be stored, enabling automated compliance verification and reducing the complexity of managing backup arrangements during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Different qualities and functions are assigned to different layers: the primary layer is designated for storing primary backup data with specific reliability requirements, while the secondary layer is designated for storing secondary backup data with different access and recovery characteristics. This local differentiation of qualities simplifies compliance management by allowing targeted optimization and monitoring of each layer's specific requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If automatic switching between backup sites is implemented to maintain redundancy, then availability is improved, but the control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup operation availabilityVSAvoidswitching control mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor the status of storage devices in both primary and secondary layers. When failures are detected, the feedback triggers automatic switching procedures that maintain the 3-2-1 backup rule compliance. This feedback-driven approach improves availability by enabling rapid response to failures while managing control complexity through automated decision-making based on predefined conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Reliability

If multiple copies of backup data are maintained across different storage devices, then robustness against failures is improved, but the IO load and storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefailure resistanceVSAvoidIO load

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting backup storage into primary and secondary layers with distinct functions, the system optimizes IO operations. Primary layer devices handle frequent backup writes, while secondary layer devices handle less frequent secondary backup operations. This segmentation reduces overall IO load compared to treating all backup devices uniformly, while still maintaining the required redundancy for robustness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20260003747A1Backup system and backup method

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 HITACHI VANTARA LTD

AI summary

A backup system includes a plurality of backup storage devices for storing backup data of backup target data stored in a storage device. The plurality of backup storage devices are classified as backup storage devices belonging to either a primary layer or a secondary layer. In the backup system, the backup target data is backed up by the storage device storing primary backup data, which is backup data of the backup target data, in the backup storage device belonging to the primary layer, and the backup storage device belonging to the primary layer storing secondary backup data, which is backup data of the primary backup data, in the backup storage device belonging to the secondary layer.