Automated Priority Restores for Data Storage Systems

The patent segments the data restore process into two distinct phases: a priority restore phase that recovers only critical data files first, and a subsequent full restore phase for remaining data. This segmentation allows the system to achieve essential data recovery quickly while completing the full restore process later, thus resolving the contradiction between recovery completeness and recovery time.

The patent applies partial action by performing a selective restore of only the most critical data files rather than restoring all data files. The priority restore process identifies and restores only essential data based on predefined criteria, providing sufficient recovery for business continuity without the time cost of a complete restore.

The patent segments the data set into priority data files and non-priority data files based on access patterns and business criticality. This segmentation enables the system to allocate restore resources efficiently by directing them first to critical files, then to less critical files, avoiding waste on files that are rarely or never accessed.

The patent applies local quality by treating different data files differently based on their individual characteristics such as access frequency and business importance. Critical data files receive immediate restore attention with high priority, while non-critical files are restored later or with lower priority, optimizing resource allocation according to local file properties rather than treating all files uniformly.

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-identifying and pre-categorizing data files into priority and non-priority groups based on their characteristics and business importance. This preliminary classification is performed during normal operations, so when a restore is needed, the system can immediately proceed with the priority restore phase without needing to make complex decisions during the recovery process, thus improving speed while managing complexity.

The patent implements self-service through automated processes that identify, categorize, and manage priority data files without requiring manual intervention. The system automatically monitors data access patterns, updates priority classifications, and manages the priority restore data set, reducing the operational complexity burden on administrators while maintaining high recovery speeds.