Managed DBaaS Backup Copies Outside Cloud Provider Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cloud service providers offer limited transparency in protecting database-as-a-service (DBaaS) data, with snapshots being opaque and lacking customer control over backup, storage, and migration options.
Innovation Solution
A data storage management system provides managed backup copies outside cloud service providers' control, enabling customers to manage backup operations, storage, recovery, and migration, with features like table-level restores and long-term retention, and allows access to backup copies outside the cloud environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cloud service providers use snapshots for DBaaS backups, then backup simplicity is improved, but customer control and transparency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary backup management system that sits between the cloud service provider's snapshot mechanism and the customer. This intermediary layer translates simple snapshot operations into comprehensive backup solutions with customer-controlled policies, retention management, and multi-location storage, thereby maintaining operational simplicity while restoring customer control.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup system is segmented into distinct functional layers: the cloud provider's snapshot capability, the intermediary backup management layer, and the customer control interface. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in its function while maintaining overall system simplicity and customer transparency simultaneously.
2Quantity of substance
If cloud service providers offer opaque snapshots, then backup cost is reduced, but data protection transparency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that provide customers with visibility into their backup status, storage locations, retention periods, and data integrity. This feedback loop maintains cost-effectiveness while delivering the required transparency through automated reporting, status monitoring, and customer-accessible backup inventories.
3Adaptability or versatility
If customers want control over backup copies, then data protection flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backup management system is designed as a universal platform that handles multiple functions: creating backups from snapshots, storing copies in multiple locations (cloud and non-cloud), managing retention policies, enabling restoration, and providing customer control. This multi-functionality achieves flexibility without proportionally increasing complexity through integrated architecture.
4Speed
If cloud service providers limit backup to snapshots, then backup speed is improved, but recovery flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by creating and storing multiple backup copies in advance across different locations before any potential recovery scenario arises. This preliminary preparation enables flexible recovery options (full restore, partial restore, point-in-time recovery) without compromising the speed advantage of snapshot-based backups.
Data Source
AI summary
A streamlined approach enables customers to retain management control over their data in a database-as-a-service (“DBaaS”) setting, by providing managed backup copies outside cloud service providers' sphere of control. An illustrative data storage management system provides control over performing backup operations to generate managed backup copies, storing managed backup copies, recovering managed backup copies in whole or in part, migrating managed backup copies, and migrating DBaaS instances. Management control also extends to choices of where to store the managed backup copies, whether on the same cloud computing platform as the source DBaaS, on a different cloud computing platform, and/or in a non-cloud data center.