Network Storage Deduplication with Data Residency Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cloud storage systems face challenges in managing data deduplication across multiple data centers due to security and compliance requirements, particularly in ensuring that data resides within specified geographic boundaries as mandated by laws and regulations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for deduplication in network storage that determines location constraint statuses for files based on compliance agreements, retaining a master copy at the location of persistent residency and removing redundant files from the network, ensuring compliance with residency requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If deduplication is performed across multiple data centers to maximize storage space, then storage efficiency is improved, but compliance with geographic data residency requirements becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the deduplication process by introducing a metadata layer that separates location constraint information from the actual data deduplication operations. This allows the system to perform deduplication across multiple data centers while maintaining separate tracking of geographic residency requirements through metadata tags associated with each data object.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces metadata as an intermediary layer between the deduplication engine and the compliance requirements. This metadata layer captures location constraint information and enables the system to mediate between the desire to deduplicate across boundaries and the need to maintain geographic residency compliance, by allowing intelligent selection of which duplicate copies to retain based on metadata-driven location constraints.
2Adaptability or versatility
If data is spread across multiple data centers for cloud storage, then storage capacity and accessibility are improved, but managing geographic data residency compliance becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal metadata framework that serves multiple functions simultaneously: it tracks location constraints, enables compliance verification, and guides deduplication decisions across diverse data centers. This multi-functional metadata approach simplifies compliance management while maintaining storage accessibility across multiple locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service compliance management through automated metadata-driven deduplication decisions. The deduplication engine automatically evaluates location constraint metadata and makes intelligent decisions about which duplicate copies to retain or remove, eliminating the need for manual compliance management and reducing operational complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If redundant files are removed to optimize storage, then storage efficiency is improved, but risk of non-compliance with residency requirements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by capturing and storing location constraint metadata before the deduplication process occurs. This advance preparation allows the system to evaluate compliance requirements upfront and make informed decisions about which duplicate copies to retain, ensuring compliance is maintained while still achieving storage optimization through selective deduplication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where metadata about location constraints continuously informs the deduplication process. The deduplication engine receives feedback from metadata regarding geographic residency requirements and adjusts its duplicate removal decisions accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes storage while maintaining compliance and reducing risk.
Data Source
AI summary
Deduplication in a network storage environment includes, for files stored in a network, determining a location constraint status specified by a compliance agreement for each of the files. Location constraint statuses include a location of persistent residency and no residency restriction. Deduplication also includes selecting a file from the files in the network and identifying corresponding redundant files, the selected file and the corresponding redundant files representing a set. Deduplication further includes determining the location constraint status for each of the files in the set. For the files in the set having a location constraint status specifying a location of persistent residency, the deduplication includes retaining a master copy at the respective location of persistent residency, and removing the corresponding redundant files from the network.