Proxy File System for Direct Backup Data Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data storage systems require restoring an entire file system from a backup before allowing access, which is inefficient for storage administrators who only need to retrieve specific files, leading to time-consuming processes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a proxy file system that allows direct access to file system backups on a backup system or appliance, enabling hosts to issue I/O operations directly to a remote copy of the file system without needing to restore it on the primary data storage system, using a proxy file system mapped to a remote backup unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire file system is restored from backup before allowing access, then complete data availability is ensured, but restoration time and resource consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the file system backup into individual files and directories that can be accessed independently. Instead of restoring the entire file system, the system allows selective access to specific segments (files/directories) from the backup, thereby reducing restoration time while maintaining data availability for the required portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and provides direct access to specific files or directories from the backup without requiring the entire file system restoration. This extraction approach allows users to retrieve only the necessary data portions, significantly reducing the time and resources needed compared to complete restoration.
2Reliability
If the entire file system is restored from backup, then all data is accessible, but storage resources and processing power are consumed inefficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the backup data into accessible units (individual files and directories) and allows selective access to only those segments that are needed. This avoids the computational overhead of restoring and processing the entire file system, thereby reducing energy consumption and processing resource usage while maintaining data accessibility for required portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by restoring and making accessible only the specific files or directories that are required, rather than performing the excessive action of restoring the entire file system. This partial restoration approach conserves storage resources and processing power while ensuring that the necessary data remains accessible.
3Loss of time
If a proxy file system is implemented for direct backup access, then access time to specific files is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a proxy file system as an intermediary layer between the user and the backup storage. This mediator translates user file access requests into appropriate backup operations, enabling direct access to backup files without full restoration. While this adds some architectural complexity, it significantly reduces file access time by avoiding complete restoration processes.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for providing direct access to backup data can include: receiving a selection of a backup of a file system, wherein the backup is stored on a backup system connected to a data storage system; creating, in accordance with said selection of the backup, a remote copy of the backup, wherein the remote copy is stored on the backup system; generating a proxy file system for the remote copy on the backup system, wherein the proxy file system is mapped by the data storage system to the remote copy on the backup system; and providing a host with direct access to the remote copy using the proxy file system.