Data Protection System Restore Service Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data storage environments face inefficiencies in restore services due to redundant storage of restore points and limited retention capacity, leading to waste of storage capacity and inefficiency, as they replicate and backup OS restore points redundantly and are limited by the production disk size.
Innovation Solution
Integrating OS restore capabilities with the data protection system, which generates and stores point-in-time copies of relevant files on the data protection system, allowing selective restoration of OS files without affecting the rest of the file system, and utilizing a file system filter to manage requests and metadata for efficient storage and retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If restore points are replicated and backed up on the production disk, then data protection is improved, but storage capacity is wasted and retention is limited by disk size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the restore point storage function from the production disk and relocates it to a dedicated backup storage system. The backup system stores point-in-time copies of volume data, separating the protection function from the production storage, thereby freeing up production disk capacity while maintaining comprehensive restore capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a backup storage system as an intermediary between the production disk and restore points. This intermediary stores the actual point-in-time copies, allowing the production system to reference restore points without storing the full data copies locally, thus resolving the storage capacity conflict.
2Adaptability or versatility
If restore points are stored on the production disk, then restoration is enabled, but the number of retained restore points is limited by disk size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts restore point storage from the limited production disk space and places it in expanded backup storage capacity. This allows the system to retain many more point-in-time copies over extended periods, overcoming the disk size limitation while preserving full restoration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimension storage model (production disk) to a multi-dimensional model where restore points are stored in a separate backup storage dimension. This dimensional separation allows independent scaling of backup capacity without affecting production storage, enabling longer retention periods.
3Reliability
If full volume replication is performed, then data protection is comprehensive, but storage efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial replication by storing only the point-in-time copies of volume data in the backup system, rather than maintaining complete continuous replication. This partial action approach provides sufficient protection for restore operations while significantly improving storage efficiency compared to full replication.
Data Source
AI summary
Improved restore services in data storage environments are provided. In one example, a method includes the following steps. Generation of a point-in-time copy of a set of files associated with a data storage system is requested. The point-in-time copy is useable for restoring data blocks of the set of files onto the data storage system. The point-in-time copy of the set of files is generated at a data protection system operatively coupled to the data storage system in response to the requesting step. The point-in-time copy of the set of files is stored at the data protection system.