Partial Virtual Tape Volume Data Block Deletion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional virtual tape libraries lack the ability to delete or reuse data blocks corresponding to expired backup images until the entire virtual tape volume is expired, leading to inefficient storage management and resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
A virtual tape library system that allows for the deletion and reuse of data blocks associated with expired backup images, enabling notification from backup applications to the virtual tape library to free up data blocks even before the entire virtual tape volume is expired, and extending existing tape-specific APIs to include commands for managing expired data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional virtual tape libraries wait until the entire virtual tape volume is expired before deleting data blocks, then data integrity and tape volume consistency are maintained, but storage space efficiency and resource utilization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the virtual tape volume into individual backup images and their corresponding data blocks. This allows the system to delete only the data blocks associated with expired backup images rather than waiting for the entire tape volume to expire, thereby improving storage space efficiency while maintaining data integrity through selective deletion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by allowing backup applications to notify the virtual tape library of expired backup images before the entire tape volume is expired. The system then proactively deletes the corresponding data blocks in advance, optimizing storage resource utilization while ensuring data integrity is maintained through controlled deletion processes.
2Productivity
If the entire virtual tape volume must be expired before any data blocks can be deleted, then tape volume consistency and backup integrity are preserved, but storage management efficiency and operational flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tape volume management process into segments, allowing individual backup images to be expired and their data blocks deleted independently from the rest of the tape volume. This segmentation enables more efficient storage management and operational flexibility without significantly increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where backup applications notify the virtual tape library when backup images are expired. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically manage and delete data blocks efficiently, improving storage management productivity while maintaining controlled complexity through automated processes.
3Quantity of substance
If data blocks are not reused until the entire tape volume is expired, then data retention policies are simple to implement, but storage resource utilization and cost efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data retention policy implementation at the backup image level rather than requiring entire tape volume expiration. This allows the system to track and manage individual backup images and their data blocks independently, improving storage resource utilization while keeping retention policies manageable through structured metadata tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the virtual tape library to automatically manage data block reuse based on notifications from backup applications about expired images. The system self-manages the complexity of tracking which data blocks can be reused, improving storage resource utilization without requiring complex manual retention policy management.
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual tape library may be configured to delete or free data blocks corresponding to expired backup images. A virtual tape volume may comprise multiple backup images, each corresponding to data stored by a backup application. The backup application may expire individual backup images of a virtual tape volume without expiring the entire virtual tape volume. In contrast to traditional virtual tape libraries, the virtual tape library described herein may delete, free and/or reuse the data blocks corresponding to expired backup images even before the entire virtual tape volume is expired.