Metadata Translation Layer for Cross-OS Backup Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current backup and restore systems fail to effectively preserve metadata when backing up and restoring files across heterogeneous operating systems, leading to data loss and incompatibility issues due to differences in metadata models between different operating systems.
Innovation Solution
The Object-Level Metadata-Preserving Cross Heterogeneous Operating Systems Backup And Restore Apparatus, Methods And Systems (MPBR) implements an incremental object-level backup and restore system that preserves metadata by using a device pairing component to configure pairing settings, a backup processing component to synchronize files and metadata across different operating systems, and a restore processing component to ensure authorized restoration of sensitive data, utilizing tools like ZFS and NTFS-3G to maintain compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If files are backed up across heterogeneous operating systems using conventional backup systems, then backup operations can be performed, but metadata is lost due to differences in metadata models between operating systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a metadata translation layer that acts as an intermediary between different operating systems' metadata models. This translation layer converts metadata from the source operating system format to the target operating system format, enabling seamless cross-platform backup while preserving all metadata information. The intermediary resolves the incompatibility between different metadata models without data loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms metadata parameters from one operating system's format to another's format through systematic parameter mapping and conversion. By changing the parameter representation (file permissions, timestamps, ownership information) to match the target OS metadata model, the system maintains full metadata integrity across heterogeneous platforms.
2Productivity
If conventional backup systems are used, then backup operations can be performed, but restore operations are slow due to complete file copying
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides files into smaller blocks or segments and performs backup and restore operations at the block level rather than copying entire files. This segmentation enables incremental backups where only changed blocks are transferred, and allows for faster restore operations by retrieving only the necessary blocks needed for reconstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary backup of file metadata and directory structure information before actual file data transfer. This preliminary action allows the restore process to quickly reconstruct the file system hierarchy and metadata first, then efficiently retrieve only the specific file blocks needed, significantly reducing overall restore time.
3Reliability
If metadata is preserved during cross-OS backup, then data integrity is maintained, but system complexity increases due to metadata model differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a metadata translation layer that acts as an intermediary between different operating systems' metadata models. This translation layer converts metadata from the source operating system format to the target operating system format, enabling seamless cross-platform backup while preserving all metadata information. The intermediary resolves the incompatibility between different metadata models without data loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal metadata representation format that can represent all metadata types from different operating systems in a unified structure. This universal format serves multiple functions: it preserves source metadata integrity, translates to target OS formats, and provides a consistent intermediate representation that simplifies the backup process despite OS differences.
Data Source
AI summary
The Object-Level Metadata-Preserving Cross Heterogeneous Operating Systems Backup And Restore Apparatuses, Methods And Systems (“MPBR”) transforms pairing request, backup request, restore request inputs via MPBR components into pairing response, backup response, restore response outputs. A device pairing request associated with a source share at a source device is obtained. A simulated block device backup volume for the source share is created on a backup device and formatted using a file system driver executable by the backup device's operating system. A backup request associated with the source share is obtained. A connection is established between the backup device and the source device using a file sharing protocol driver configured such that files metadata is presented to the backup device in a compatible metadata format. Files from the source share are synchronized. Changed synchronized files are determined. Metadata associated with the changed files is updated. A snapshot of the volume is generated.