Dynamic Slice Regrouping for NAS Backup Prioritization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional systems for network-attached storage (NAS) do not prioritize the distribution of file system slices during backup operations, leading to inefficient backup performance and inflexibility in subsequent backups due to static slice configurations that do not adapt to changes in the file system over time.
Innovation Solution
A system that performs pre-backup tasks by generating snapshots and updating slice groups based on user-configurable priority criteria, dynamically adjusting slice priorities and regrouping slices based on data types for incremental backups, and maintaining a slice queue to optimize backup job distribution to available proxy hosts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional systems use static slice configurations for backup operations, then the backup process is simple to implement, but the backup performance becomes inefficient and inflexible over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic slice regrouping where slices are automatically reorganized based on current file system states and user-defined priority criteria. The backup system transitions from static pre-defined slices to dynamic slices that adapt to changing data importance and access patterns, improving backup efficiency without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of slice organization by introducing priority criteria and regrouping rules that modify how slices are structured and selected for backup. This allows the backup process to adapt to varying data characteristics and user requirements, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and performance.
2Productivity
If slices are dynamically regrouped based on data types and priority criteria, then backup efficiency improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the file system into slices that can be independently evaluated and regrouped based on data types and priority criteria. This segmentation allows the complex task of optimizing entire file systems to be broken down into manageable slice-level operations, improving efficiency while controlling complexity through modular processing.
Solution Approach 2:
Different slices are treated with different qualities and priorities based on their data types and importance. The system applies local optimization rules to specific slice groups rather than uniformly processing all data, which improves overall backup efficiency while keeping the complexity localized to specific data segments rather than the entire system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If static slice configurations are used, then the system is easy to operate, but it cannot adapt to changes in the file system over time
Solution Approach 1:
The backup system performs self-service by automatically detecting file system changes and regrouping slices according to updated priority criteria without requiring manual intervention. This self-adapting capability provides versatility in handling changing data while maintaining operational simplicity for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms that monitor file system changes and use this information to dynamically adjust slice configurations. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to file system evolution while automatically managing the complexity of reconfiguration, preserving ease of operation.
4Reliability
If incremental backups are performed without updated slice groups, then the backup process is fast, but the backup accuracy and relevance decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary regrouping of slices based on detected file system changes before executing incremental backups. This preliminary action ensures that the most relevant and changed data is prioritized in the backup process, improving backup relevance while minimizing the time required by preparing the slice structure in advance.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques described herein relate to a method for performing pre-backup tasks. The method includes obtaining, by a proxy host, a snapshot request associated with an incremental backup of a file system stored in a network attached storage (NAS) from a backup manager; in response to obtaining the snapshot request: instantiating a NAS container to obtain a snapshot of the file system; providing the snapshot to the NAS container; after providing the snapshot to the NAS container: retrieving a previously generated slice list and backup metadata associated with the file system; identifying, using the backup metadata and the slice list, data types associated with each of the slices; grouping the slices based on the data types and group criteria to generate slice groups; generating an updated slice list specifying the slices and the slice groups; and providing the updated slice list to the backup manager.