Remote Snapshot Comparison via Network File System Protocol
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users without access to local operating system or file system utilities face challenges in performing snapshot comparisons, especially when accessing file systems via network file systems like NFS and CIFS, which do not support snapshot comparison commands.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow users to compare snapshots by sending network file system protocol compliant commands with embedded snapshot comparison parameters, enabling the storage system to identify and process the request, compare snapshots, and return the results in a compliant format, even if the network file protocol lacks a snapshot comparison operation code.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If network file system protocols (NFS, CIFS) are used for accessing remote file systems, then users can access file systems over the network, but the protocols do not support snapshot comparison commands, preventing users from comparing snapshots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer that translates standard network file system commands into snapshot comparison operations. The system intercepts conventional file access commands, identifies when they reference snapshot entities, and transforms them into comparison operations, allowing users to compare snapshots through standard network file system protocols without requiring protocol extensions or special administrator interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of extending network file system protocols to support snapshot comparison commands (adding complexity to the protocol), the patent inverts the approach by making the storage system interpret standard file access commands as snapshot comparison requests when they reference snapshot entities. This reverses the traditional model where the client initiates comparison operations through special commands
2Ease of operation
If special management interfaces or administrator permissions are required for snapshot comparison, then snapshot comparison functionality can be provided, but users without such access cannot perform snapshot comparisons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables end-users to independently perform snapshot comparisons without requiring administrator intervention or special management interfaces. The storage system automatically identifies when a file access command references snapshot entities and performs the comparison operation, returning results directly to the user through the standard network file system protocol
Solution Approach 2:
The system makes snapshot comparison functionality universally accessible to all users through standard network file system protocols, rather than providing it only through special management interfaces. The same protocol and command structure used for regular file access is also used for snapshot comparison, eliminating the need for separate administrator-only access paths
3Ease of operation
If local operating system utilities are used for snapshot comparison, then users can compare snapshots on local file systems, but users cannot compare snapshots stored on remote file servers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary translation layer at the storage system that converts standard network file system commands into snapshot comparison operations. This mediator enables remote snapshot comparison by interpreting conventional file access commands sent over the network and transforming them into comparison requests when they reference snapshot entities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends snapshot comparison capability from the local file system dimension to the networked remote file system dimension. By making the storage system itself interpret and execute comparison operations for remote snapshots, the capability transitions from being location-specific (local only) to being location-agnostic (accessible remotely through standard protocols)
Data Source
AI summary
A method for performing a comparison between first and second points in time snapshots of a file system entity, the method may include: (I) receiving by a storage system a command that was sent from a host computer, the command is network file system protocol compliant, wherein the command comprises (i) an operation code, and (ii) information about a virtual path, the virtual path that comprises (ii.a) first fields that comprise snapshot comparison parameters indicative of the first and second points in time snapshots of the file system entity, and (ii.b) a second field of a content that indicates that the command is a request to compare between the first and second points in time snapshots of the file system entity; (II) identifying, by a file system application hosted by the storage system and in response to the content of the second field of the virtual path, the command as including a request to compare between the first and second points in time snapshots of the file system entity; (III) comparing by the file system application the first and second points in time snapshots of the file system entity to provide a comparison result that is network file system protocol compliant; and (IV) sending by the storage system the comparison result to the host computer.