Multi-Tier Data Protection System for Metadata Reconstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data protection systems face challenges in recovering data when both the primary and backup copies are lost or unavailable, leading to potential permanent data loss.
Innovation Solution
A data protection system with a multi-tier storage architecture that includes an active tier and a cloud tier, allowing data and metadata reconstruction by moving data between tiers, using deduplication, garbage collection, and self-healing mechanisms to recover lost segments and metadata from available storage tiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is stored in a single location (primary copy), then storage simplicity is maintained, but data loss risk increases when the primary copy is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data into multiple copies stored across different locations (primary storage and secondary storage). This segmentation allows the system to recover from loss at any single location, directly resolving the contradiction by improving reliability through distribution while maintaining manageable complexity through structured segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by creating specialized storage regions with different characteristics - primary storage for active data and secondary storage for backup data. This allows each location to have optimized properties for its purpose while collectively providing robust protection against data loss
2Reliability
If backup copies are maintained, then data recovery capability is improved, but storage space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates backup copies of data in secondary storage when data is written to primary storage. This copying mechanism ensures data recovery capability while the system manages storage space through selective copying and retention policies, resolving the contradiction between reliability and storage space consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a mechanism where backup copies can be discarded when no longer needed and recovered when required. This allows the system to optimize storage space by removing redundant backups while maintaining the ability to recover data when necessary, balancing reliability with storage efficiency
3Reliability
If both primary and backup copies are lost, then data protection fails, but maintaining multiple copies increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to storage by creating multiple tiers (primary and secondary) with different characteristics. This dimensional approach to data protection allows the system to achieve robust protection against simultaneous losses while managing complexity through structured tiered architecture rather than flat redundancy
4Ease of operation
If data is moved between storage tiers, then data availability is improved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic data movement between primary and secondary storage tiers based on data activity and importance. This dynamic approach improves data availability by automatically positioning appropriate data in appropriate locations while managing operational complexity through automated policies rather than manual intervention
Data Source
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AI summary
Data protection systems generate backups that may be stored in a namespace that includes an active tier and a cloud tier. Lost data in either tier can be reconstructed from the available tiers. Metadata can also be reconstructed from the data stored in the available tiers.