Log File Processing for Orphaned Data Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Enterprise systems face challenges in managing and tracking data sets due to frequent changes, such as old devices being taken offline and new applications being added, leading to orphaned data that is difficult to identify and manage effectively.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that processes log files to determine the location of data files within a data environment, allowing for operations such as secure erasure, data migration, security compliance, and efficiency enhancements by filtering and processing log files to identify and manage data operation events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If replica copies of data are generated and stored at remote locations to meet business continuation and data recovery demands, then data protection and recovery capability are improved, but device complexity and data management difficulty increase due to orphaned data from offline devices and applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata protection and recovery capabilityVSAvoiddata management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors data operation events through log files that record data movements, creations, and deletions. This feedback mechanism enables the cataloging system to track the current state of data and identify orphaned data sets by comparing recorded operations with actual data locations, thereby managing complexity while maintaining protection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

A data catalog acts as an intermediary between the complex data environment and management systems. The catalog stores metadata about data files, their locations, and operational history, simplifying the management of replica copies and orphaned data by providing a centralized view without requiring direct management of all data components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If data sets are maintained for archival purposes along with real-time copies, then data preservation is improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring orphaned data increases due to lack of visibility into data existence

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata preservationVSAvoidorphaned data visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary cataloging of data files by processing log files that record data operation events before orphaned data becomes problematic. By continuously tracking and cataloging data locations and operations in advance, the system maintains visibility into data existence and can identify orphaned data sets before they cause issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cataloging system uses feedback from log file processing to continuously update the data catalog with current data locations and operational status. This feedback loop ensures that the system maintains accurate information about data existence and can detect orphaned data by comparing cataloged information with current system state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If applications are frequently added and removed from the system to adapt to changing business needs, then system adaptability is improved, but data management difficulty increases due to orphaned data from removed applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication flexibilityVSAvoiddata management ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system monitors data operation events through continuous log file processing, providing feedback about data locations and operations. This enables the system to automatically detect when data becomes orphaned due to application removals and manage it accordingly, maintaining ease of operation despite frequent application changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The cataloging system performs self-service by automatically processing log files, identifying orphaned data, and managing data sets without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously tracks data operations, detects orphaned data, and can execute management actions, reducing the operational burden on administrators during frequent application changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9116905B1System and method for cataloging data
Publication Date: 2015.08.25 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC
  • US9116905B1 patent drawing
  • US9116905B1 patent drawing
  • US9116905B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method, computer program product, and computing system for includes processing a log file to determine the location of one or more data files within a data environment. The log file indicates the occurrence of a data operation event within the data environment. A data operation is performed on at least a portion of the one or more data files located via the log file.