Microservice Orchestration for Consistent Snapshot Protection

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cloud computing environments do not provide adequate data protection and storage efficiency, requiring manual scripting and tool implementation for application consistent snapshots, which is complex and difficult.

Innovation Solution

An architecture for deploying, managing, and orchestrating microservices that provide data protection and storage efficiency across various computing environments, including cloud and on-premise setups, using a client-facing user interface and service agent for enhanced security and automation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual scripting and tool implementation are used for application consistent snapshots, then data protection can be achieved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata protectionVSAvoidcomplexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing users to create application consistent snapshots through a graphical user interface without requiring manual scripting or complex tool implementation. The microservices architecture automatically handles the snapshot creation process, including application quiescing and data consistency management, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining data protection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer of microservices that mediate between the user interface and the underlying storage systems. These microservices automatically manage the complexity of application quiescing, data consistency, and snapshot creation, shielding users from complex operations while ensuring reliable data protection through automated processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If manual scripting is used for application consistent snapshots, then data protection functionality can be implemented, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata protectionVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing users to create application consistent snapshots through a graphical user interface without requiring manual scripting or complex tool implementation. The microservices architecture automatically handles the snapshot creation process, including application quiescing and data consistency management, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining data protection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (scripting and tool implementation) with an automated software-based system. The microservices architecture substitutes manual intervention with automated processes that handle application quiescing, data consistency checking, and snapshot creation through software components, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining data protection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If cloud computing environments are used for storage, then storage accessibility is improved, but data protection and storage efficiency functionality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage accessibilityVSAvoiddata protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal microservices architecture that provides multiple functions including data protection, storage efficiency, and accessibility across various cloud computing environments. The system can operate in different cloud providers and configurations while maintaining consistent data protection capabilities, thereby achieving both storage accessibility and data protection reliability through a multi-functional platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer of microservices that mediate between the user interface and the underlying storage systems. These microservices automatically manage the complexity of application quiescing, data consistency, and snapshot creation, shielding users from complex operations while ensuring reliable data protection through automated processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12602246B2Management and orchestration of microservices

Publication Date: 2026.04.14 NETAPP INC

AI summary

Techniques are provided for microservices management and orchestration. A chart package is selectively retrieved from a chart repository based upon the chart package corresponding to a set of services to host within a cluster and dependencies amongst the set of services. A set of container images may be retrieved from a container repository based upon the set of container images corresponding to the set of services. A cluster may be created within a computing environment. The set of services may be deployed as resources of the computing environment within the cluster and the dependencies may be configured using the chart package and the set of container images.