Metadata-Based Backup Item-Level Recovery Without Kernel Drivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data protection methods for file system data in heterogeneous backup storage environments are inefficient, requiring kernel drivers or virtual file systems, which introduce dependencies and do not scale well, especially in on-premises or cloud environments, and result in time-consuming and resource-intensive application data recovery processes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method that uses VHDX format to enable native backup and restoration without kernel drivers or virtual file systems, allowing for item-level restorations and instant access by generating a placeholder file structure within a virtual hard disk file, facilitating data transfer across heterogeneous backup storages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If kernel drivers or virtual file systems are used for data protection in heterogeneous backup storage environments, then data protection functionality is achieved, but system complexity increases and scalability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data protection functionality from the kernel layer and implements it at the user space application level. Instead of using kernel drivers, the solution uses a backup agent running in user space that interacts with the file system through standard APIs, thereby eliminating kernel dependencies and reducing system complexity while maintaining data protection capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual file system layer as an intermediary between the application and heterogeneous backup storage systems. This virtual layer provides a unified interface that handles different backup storage protocols and formats, allowing data protection across diverse storage backends without requiring separate kernel drivers for each storage type
2Reliability
If kernel drivers or virtual file systems are used for data protection, then backup access is enabled, but recovery time increases and resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary actions by creating placeholder file structures in advance that represent the backup data organization. When backup operations are performed, the virtual file system pre-structures the data layout and creates metadata mappings, so that during recovery operations, data can be quickly located and restored without time-consuming processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying mechanisms to create virtual representations of backup data structures. Instead of physically moving or reconstructing entire backup sets during recovery, the system copies only the necessary metadata and placeholder structures to guide rapid data retrieval, significantly reducing recovery time while maintaining backup access capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If kernel drivers or virtual file systems are used for data protection, then heterogeneous backup storage support is achieved, but scalability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal backup agent architecture that can interface with multiple types of backup storage systems through a single codebase. The virtual file system layer provides protocol-agnostic access methods, allowing the same data protection infrastructure to scale across diverse storage backends (NAS, SAN, object storage, cloud storage) without requiring separate kernel driver implementations for each storage type
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques described herein relate to a method for performing data protection of file system data on a host. The method includes identifying a backup access event associated with a backup, wherein a first portion of the backup is stored on a first backup storage and a second portion of the backup is stored on a second backup storage; obtaining backup metadata associated with the backup from a data protection manager; generating a placeholder file structure using the backup metadata and storing the placeholder file structure in a virtual hard disk file; and performing heterogeneous backup storage backup access services using the placeholder file structure and the backup metadata to facilitate transfer of data of the first portion of the backup on the first backup storage and the transfer of data of the second portion of the backup on the second backup storage to an application associated with the backup.