Metadata-Driven Backup Policy Association for Data Completeness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data backup systems often fail to include all relevant data in the backup process, leading to potential loss and non-compliance with regulations due to incomplete data coverage.
Innovation Solution
A method that associates secondary data with a backup policy based on its association with primary data, allowing for automatic backup even if the secondary data is modified, saved under different designations, or not actively associated, using metadata analysis to determine eligibility for backup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional backup systems only backup actively selected data, then the backup process is simple and fast, but relevant data may be missed leading to incomplete backup coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces metadata as an intermediary element that connects primary data with associated secondary data. The metadata contains identifiers that enable the backup system to discover and associate related data files automatically, expanding backup coverage without requiring complex manual configuration or user intervention for each data item
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary association of data with backup policies by analyzing metadata and establishing relationships between primary and secondary data before the actual backup occurs. This preliminary action ensures that all relevant data is identified and linked to appropriate backup policies in advance, so that when backup is triggered, comprehensive data coverage is automatically achieved
2Reliability
If backup policy actively selects specific data files, then the backup process is efficient and targeted, but modified or differently designated versions of data may be excluded
Solution Approach 1:
Metadata serves as an intermediary that tracks and identifies different versions and designations of data through unique identifiers. This allows the system to automatically recognize modified or renamed versions of primary data and include them in backups without requiring re-selection or complex version comparison logic
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses metadata feedback mechanisms to continuously monitor and identify associations between primary data and its secondary versions. By analyzing metadata updates and changes, the system automatically detects when data has been modified or renamed and adjusts backup selections accordingly, ensuring version completeness while maintaining efficient automated processing
3Reliability
If manual selection of data for backup is used, then user control over backup content is high, but data may never be selected leading to potential loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service backup by automatically analyzing metadata to discover and associate secondary data with backup policies without requiring user intervention. The metadata-driven approach enables the system to autonomously identify all relevant data, establish associations, and execute comprehensive backups, eliminating the need for manual data selection while maintaining user-defined policy control
Solution Approach 2:
The backup system achieves universality by using a single metadata-based mechanism that automatically handles multiple functions: discovering data, identifying associations between primary and secondary data, determining backup eligibility, and executing backups. This universal approach replaces the need for separate manual selection processes while enhancing data protection reliability
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method includes receiving second information about second data stored on a second device. The method also includes determining that the second data is associated with first data stored on a first device. The method further includes, based on the determination about the second data, associating the second data with a policy for backing up a particular type of data. The method further includes initiating a transfer of one or more copies of the second data to a second one or more storage medias defined by the policy.