Persistent Consistency Point Image Deduplication via Workspace Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data deduplication techniques are ineffective in backup storage systems that utilize persistent consistency point images (PCPIs) for long-term retention, as PCPIs are read-only and cannot be modified until deleted, limiting the effectiveness of deduplication processes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that involves a backup management module interfacing with a data deduplication module to manage data deduplication in backup storage systems by generating PCPIs, performing cleanup operations, and then initiating deduplication procedures to identify and remove identical data blocks, ensuring only unique blocks are retained, while allowing PCPIs to remain accessible to clients during the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PCPIs are retained for long-term backup storage, then data reliability and accessibility are improved, but storage space efficiency deteriorates due to duplicate data blocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the PCPI into a read-only original image and a separate deduplication workspace. The read-only PCPI maintains data accessibility and reliability, while the workspace allows deduplication operations to be performed on a copy, enabling space optimization without compromising the original data's accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the PCPI in the deduplication workspace, allowing deduplication operations to be performed on the copy rather than the original. This copying approach enables space efficiency improvements while preserving the original PCPI's accessibility and reliability properties.
2Quantity of substance
If deduplication operations are performed on read-only PCPIs, then storage space efficiency is improved, but operational flexibility deteriorates due to read-only constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the read-only PCPI from the deduplication workspace, allowing deduplication operations to be performed on the workspace copy while the original PCPI remains read-only and accessible. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling modification operations on a copy without affecting the operational flexibility of the original.
Solution Approach 2:
The deduplication workspace acts as an intermediary between the read-only PCPI and the deduplication process. It receives data from the PCPI, performs deduplication operations, and returns optimized data structures, thereby enabling space efficiency without compromising the read-only accessibility of the original PCPI.
3Quantity of substance
If data deduplication is implemented in backup storage systems, then storage efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to coordination between backup management and deduplication modules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a deduplication workspace as an intermediary component that coordinates between the backup management module and the deduplication module. This workspace receives data from the PCPI, performs deduplication operations, and manages the resulting data structures, thereby reducing the complexity of direct coordination between higher-level modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the backup storage system into distinct functional segments: the read-only PCPI storage, the deduplication workspace, and the backup management module. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently with well-defined interfaces, reducing overall system complexity while achieving storage efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for managing data deduplication of a storage system utilizing persistent consistency point images (PCPIs). Once a target PCPI of a data transfer is generated, a backup management module of the storage system alerts a data deduplication module to begin deduplication of the data contained within the target PCPI. Once the deduplication procedure has been completed, the active file system of the storage system has been deduplicated, however, the target PCPI remains un-deduplicated. In response, the backup management module generates and exports a revised target PCPI. The previous target PCPI may then be deleted, thereby transitioning the exported PCPI's image of the state of the file system to a deduplicated state.