Object Storage Backup via Offline-Replica Bit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Object storage platforms do not support backup of data to a separate tape system, leading to potential data loss in case of data center failures and are not feasible for regulatory compliance due to inability to back up immutable data objects.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an offline-replica bit in the metadata of objects stored on object storage platforms to indicate whether an object is available for secondary storage, allowing selective backup to a secondary storage device and using a backup tracking mechanism to ensure only unbacked-up objects are backed up.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If objects are stored on an object storage platform with content addressable storage, then data is stored efficiently with multiple replicas for protection, but the ability to backup data to a separate tape system is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the backup process into two distinct phases: (1) marking objects during storage with a backup indicator, and (2) selecting and copying marked objects to tape during backup operations. This segmentation allows the object storage platform to maintain its replica-based protection mechanism while enabling selective backup to tape through the marker system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by marking objects with a backup indicator at the time of storage or upload. This pre-marking allows the backup system to later identify which objects need to be copied to tape without requiring full scanning or re-evaluation of all stored objects, thus enabling efficient selective backup while preserving the original storage structure.
2Reliability
If immutable data objects are stored on an object storage platform, then data integrity is maintained, but the ability to backup data for regulatory compliance is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments backup operations from the immutable storage mechanism. The object storage platform maintains immutability through its content addressable storage structure, while the backup function is segmented as a separate process that copies marked immutable objects to tape. This allows both data integrity preservation and regulatory compliance backup to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying to resolve the contradiction by creating a copy of the immutable object for backup purposes, rather than modifying the original. The backup indicator marks objects for copying to tape, while the original immutable objects remain unchanged in the object storage platform. This copying approach preserves data integrity while enabling compliance backup.
3Reliability
If all objects are backed up to tape, then complete data protection is achieved, but backup time and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by backing up only the subset of objects marked with the backup indicator rather than copying all objects to tape. This selective approach reduces backup time and improves efficiency while still providing comprehensive protection for the intended data, avoiding the excessive action of backing up unnecessary objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary marking of objects during storage to enable efficient selective backup later. By pre-marking objects that require backup, the system can quickly identify and copy only those objects during backup operations, significantly improving backup efficiency compared to scanning and evaluating all objects during the backup process.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system enable tape back-up of objects stored to an object storage platform and also enable efficient backup to a secondary storage device data objects. An offline-replica bit within a metadata of an object being stored is set to a first value, indicating that the stored object is available for secondary storage to a second storage device. In response to receiving a request for backup of one or more objects from the object storage platform: the storage controller: identifies which objects have an offline-replica bit value that is the first value; and provides only those objects requested that have their offline-replica bit value equal to the first value. An external backup tracking mechanism identifies which objects have been backed-up to the secondary storage, and only those objects that have not previously been backed up are backed up during a subsequent backup request.