NAS File Backup Cache for Rapid Metadata Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing data backup and recovery processes in Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices are inefficient due to slow processing speeds and high costs, primarily because of the need for extensive comparison operations during data retrieval from backup systems.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a cache system within the file backup system that stores metadata and information about file storage positions, allowing for rapid access and recovery of data by determining addresses based on file type and index node values, thereby speeding up the backup and recovery processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all data information is stored in the backup system, then data safety is ensured, but the recovery process is prolonged due to extensive comparison operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential metadata (file names, paths, storage positions) from the complete backup data and stores it separately in a cache system. This extraction allows the majority of backup data to be accessed directly by storage position without requiring extensive comparison operations, thus reducing recovery time while maintaining data safety through the cached metadata.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and caching the metadata including storage positions during the backup process. This preliminary organization of data information allows for direct retrieval during recovery operations, eliminating the need for time-consuming comparison operations and significantly accelerating the recovery process.
2Reliability
If all data information is stored in the backup system, then complete backup is achieved, but the processing speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the backup data into two distinct parts: complete metadata information (stored in cache for fast access) and actual file data (stored in the backup system). This segmentation allows the system to maintain complete backup data while achieving fast processing speeds through the cached metadata that contains all necessary information for direct data retrieval.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces metadata as an intermediary layer between the backup system and the recovery process. This metadata acts as a mediator that provides direct access paths to backup data, eliminating the need for slow comparison operations and significantly improving processing speed while maintaining complete backup capability.
3Measurement precision
If extensive comparison operations are performed during data retrieval, then accurate data recovery is ensured, but the cost for receiving backup data is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the backup metadata (file names, paths, storage positions) and stores it in the cache system. This metadata copy provides all necessary information for accurate data retrieval without requiring the original backup data to be processed through expensive comparison operations, thus maintaining retrieval accuracy while reducing processing costs.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and device for file backup and recovery. The method for file backup comprises receiving a file to be backed up and metadata describing an attribute of the file. The method further includes storing the metadata into a cache. The method further includes storing the file into a storage device for data backup. The method further includes receiving, from the storage device, information that indicates a storage position of the file in the storage device. Besides, the method further includes storing the information into the cache at an address that is determined based on the metadata.