Rolling Point-in-Time Backup via Distributed Transactional Re-creation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cloud-based service providers face challenges in ensuring data integrity and availability without increasing operational complexity and expenses, particularly in maintaining scalable backup solutions for large datasets.
Innovation Solution
The technique involves creating multiple availability copies of customer data, designating one as a backup copy, and generating log files to update availability copies in near real-time while keeping the backup copy untouched, allowing it to age periodically, and using content contributors' local copies for restoration when errors occur.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional backup methods are used for cloud-based data storage, then data availability and integrity can be maintained, but operational complexity and expenses increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates multiple availability copies of data stored in cloud storage and designates one copy as a backup copy. These copies are updated from log files in near real-time without requiring traditional backup operations, thereby maintaining data availability while reducing operational complexity through automated replication processes
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by creating availability copies and designating a backup copy before actual data loss or corruption occurs. The backup copy is updated periodically from log files in advance, ensuring restoration capability is already in place without requiring complex on-demand backup operations
2Reliability
If traditional backup methods are used for cloud-based data storage, then data can be restored in case of errors, but operational expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates multiple availability copies of data and designates one as a backup copy, eliminating the need for expensive traditional backup operations. The backup copy is maintained through automated log file updates rather than costly backup software licenses, hardware requirements, and manual management processes
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically updating the backup copy and availability copies from log files without requiring manual backup operations. The cloud storage system itself manages the replication and restoration processes, eliminating expenses associated with traditional backup infrastructure and human intervention
3Speed
If availability copies are updated in near real-time from log files, then data access speed is improved, but the backup copy may become outdated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by updating the backup copy from log files at scheduled intervals rather than in continuous real-time. This periodic update mechanism ensures the backup copy remains sufficiently current for restoration purposes while allowing availability copies to be updated more frequently for immediate data access
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by updating the backup copy in advance before it becomes completely outdated. By periodically applying log file updates to the backup copy, the system ensures restoration capability is maintained ahead of potential data loss events, balancing currency with access speed requirements
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques to leverage replication to provide rolling point in time backup are described. Some embodiments are directed to techniques to provide rolling point in time backup with simplified restoration through distributed transactional re-creation. In one embodiment, for example, a technique may comprise creating a plurality of availability copies of a primary set of data; designating at least one of the plurality of availability copies as a backup copy; creating a log file that indicates changes to the primary set of data; updating the plurality of availability copies from the log file in near real time, without updating the backup copy; and restoring at least one of: the primary set of data and an availability copy using the backup copy and content resubmitted from a content contributor when an error occurs in at least one of: the primary set of data and an availability copy. Other embodiments are described and claimed.