Raw Partition Backup File Restore via LUN Export
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional raw partition-level backup mechanisms are inefficient for file-level restores due to the complexity of file system mapping, requiring extensive knowledge of file systems and operating systems, and often result in overwriting of other data when restoring entire partitions for selective file restoration.
Innovation Solution
A data backup mechanism that performs raw partition backups and supports file-level restores through Fibre Channel (FC) or iSCSI Logical Unit (LUN) export of raw partition backup images, allowing direct file manipulation using standard file system commands without the need for file system mapping, enabling fast backup and individual file retrieval across heterogeneous environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If file system mapping is performed to enable file-level restores from raw partition backups, then file-level restore capability is achieved, but device complexity and difficulty of implementation increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component that sits between the raw partition backup and the file system, providing translation and mapping capabilities without requiring the backup mechanism itself to understand file system formats. This intermediary handles the complexity of file system mapping while keeping the core backup mechanism simple and format-agnostic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the backup system into distinct functional components: raw partition backup module, file system mapping module, and restore module. This segmentation allows each component to be independently developed, tested, and maintained, reducing overall system complexity while enabling file-level restore capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If file system mapping is performed to support file-level restores, then selective file restoration is enabled, but loss of time increases due to mapping overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs file system mapping during the backup process itself, creating a mapping structure that can be quickly referenced during restore operations. This preliminary action ensures that when file-level restores are needed, the mapping is already available, eliminating the need to perform time-consuming mapping operations at restore time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the file system mapping information and stores it alongside the raw partition backup. This copied mapping data can be quickly loaded and used for file-level restores without requiring re-mapping of the entire file system, significantly reducing restore time while enabling selective file recovery.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional backup mechanisms are adapted to support new file system versions, then compatibility is improved, but device complexity and maintenance burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the backup mechanism with universal interfaces that can work with multiple file system types and versions through a standardized mapping layer. This universal design allows the core backup functionality to remain unchanged while supporting new file systems through plug-in mapping modules, reducing maintenance burden and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses configurable parameters and metadata to adapt to different file system versions and types. By changing parameters such as mapping formats, data structures, and protocol settings rather than rewriting core code, the system can support new file systems with minimal modifications, reducing maintenance complexity while improving compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus for file-level restore from raw partition backups. A backup mechanism may be provided that is configured to perform raw partition backups to a media server and to support file-level restores from the raw partition backups through, for example, Fibre Channel (FC) or iSCSI Logical Unit (LUN) export of the raw partition backup images to client systems. Once a LUN is exported and mounted on the client system, direct file manipulation using standard file system commands may be performed. Embodiments achieve both fast backup and individual file retrieval without the necessity of understanding native file system formats and without requiring a file system mapping of the source (client) partition. Thus, embodiments may be used in heterogeneous environments.