Recovery Node Testing for Server Image Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer system recovery methods fail to ensure immediate and complete recovery of entire groups of servers, leading to potential data loss and downtime, as they either destroy the current system state or do not adequately test the functionality of restored images.
Innovation Solution
A recovery node test system comprising a protected server, high availability appliance, and disaster recovery appliance, which create and maintain bootable images of the protected server, allowing for virtual machine operation and testing in a isolated test environment to ensure the images can replace the server in case of failure without disrupting the current system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If backup systems restore the computer system itself to verify image functionality, then the testing capability is improved, but the current system state is destroyed and system availability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a test node as a copy of the protected server within the backup system. This test node runs the restored image to verify its functionality without affecting the original protected server. The test node is a virtual copy that can be safely used for testing purposes, allowing comprehensive verification while maintaining system availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup system is segmented into separate functional components: the protected server, the backup system with storage, and a test node. This segmentation allows the testing function to be isolated from the production system, enabling independent verification of restored images without disrupting the original server's operation.
2Productivity
If hot backup systems are used to provide immediate availability, then system availability is improved, but the ability to test entire server group recovery is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary testing by restoring images to a test node before actual failure scenarios occur. This preliminary action verifies that recovery images are functional and complete, ensuring that when real failures happen, the hot backup systems can immediately take over with verified integrity. The test node serves as a pre-validation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The test node acts as an intermediary between the backup storage and the hot backup systems. It provides a middle ground where images can be tested and validated before being deployed to production hot backup systems, ensuring their functionality without compromising the immediate availability provided by hot backups.
3Reliability
If system images are restored to verify functionality, then the testing thoroughness is improved, but downtime occurs during the restoration process
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous operation by performing all restoration and testing operations on the test node while the protected server remains operational. The useful action of testing continues without interrupting the protected server's functionality, as the test node independently validates images in parallel with normal system operation.
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a recovery node testing system and method. The system and method include copying a protected server image associated with a protected server to a test node and creating a test environment for the test node, the test environment including at least one of the network characteristics of the protected server. The test node may then be activated using the protected server image which may then be connected to the virtual network. Once connected, at least one test is performed on the test node to confirm that the protected server image operating on the test node responds in the same manner as the protected server.