Distributed Cloud Backup Using Peer Storage and Error-Tolerant Encoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centralized data backup systems in enterprise computing are costly, prone to data loss due to physical damage or theft, and have performance bottlenecks, while they also introduce risks of catastrophic data loss if the backup server fails.
Innovation Solution
A cloud data backup system that utilizes the unused storage capacity of client computers to store backup data, distributing it across multiple peer computers for redundancy and security, using unique identifiers and error-tolerant encoding to ensure data integrity and availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If centralized backup server is used, then data backup function is provided, but cost increases and performance bottlenecks occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized backup function into distributed backup agents deployed on individual client computers. Each agent independently manages backup operations for its host system, eliminating the need for a single complex centralized server while maintaining reliable backup functionality across the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup system enables self-service through autonomous backup agents that automatically detect, select, and backup data from their respective host systems without requiring centralized management. Each agent independently handles backup scheduling, data compression, and storage management, reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If backup data is stored on single server, then backup function is achieved, but risk of catastrophic data loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments backup data storage across multiple independent client computers rather than concentrating it on a single server. This distribution strategy ensures that physical damage to one device does not result in catastrophic data loss, as other distributed copies remain intact and accessible.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements local quality by allowing each client computer to maintain its own local backup copies while also participating in the distributed network backup. This local redundancy provides immediate data safety against physical damage while leveraging networked distributed storage for additional protection layers.
3Productivity
If high-speed drives are used in backup server, then read/write bandwidth is improved, but cost per unit storage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the storage resources of multiple client computers into a collective distributed backup infrastructure. By combining available storage capacity across numerous devices, the system achieves high total storage capacity using standard-speed drives, while parallel backup operations across multiple agents maintain high overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs partial action by having multiple backup agents operate simultaneously on different data sets or different client systems. This parallel partial execution of backup operations achieves high aggregate backup speed without requiring each individual storage device to be high-speed, thereby reducing cost per unit storage.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for cloud data backup are disclosed. Example methods may store backup data from a client computer on portions of data storage media associated with peer computers. In some example embodiments, a file may be encoded into segments using an error-tolerant encoding scheme, and the segments may be stored on peer computers. In some example embodiments, individual segments may be stored on more than one peer machine and/or an individual peer machine may not receive all of the segments associated with the file.