Server SAN Node Backup via Virtual Disk Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for backing up and restoring data in server Storage Area Networks (SAN) face challenges such as limited protection strategies, complex system configurations, high costs, and performance bottlenecks due to the need for additional backup servers.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a backup agent and LUN agent in the server SAN node to determine required LUNs for protection and target backup devices, enabling direct data backup or restoration through a virtual disk interface without an additional backup server, simplifying configuration and improving performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a backup server is used to manage backup operations between server SAN nodes and backup devices, then data protection capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the backup server component from the traditional architecture. Instead of using a dedicated backup server to manage backup operations, the system enables direct communication and data transfer between server SAN nodes and backup devices through agents, eliminating the intermediate backup server layer while maintaining data protection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling server SAN nodes to autonomously perform backup operations directly to backup devices through local agents. The nodes themselves manage the backup process without requiring external backup server coordination, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture
2Reliability
If a backup server is introduced to enable data backup between server SAN nodes and backup devices, then data protection is improved, but system performance deteriorates due to bottleneck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the backup server from the data transfer path. By enabling direct peer-to-peer communication between server SAN nodes and backup devices, the system eliminates the performance bottleneck that the backup server creates, while maintaining comprehensive data protection capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the backup function into distributed agents on each server SAN node and backup device, rather than centralizing it in a backup server. This segmentation allows parallel backup operations to occur simultaneously across multiple nodes, improving overall system performance
3Reliability
If traditional backup methods are used in server SAN, then data protection is provided, but cost increases due to additional backup servers and complex configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for dedicated backup servers from the architecture. By enabling direct backup operations between server SAN nodes and backup devices through lightweight agents, the system reduces hardware requirements and implementation costs while maintaining data protection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes server SAN nodes multi-functional by enabling them to perform both data storage and backup operations directly. The nodes can serve as both primary storage and backup source, eliminating the need for separate backup server infrastructure
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for backing up and restoring data includes: determining, at a server storage area network (SAN) node, an LUN required for protection within a server SAN node based on communication between a backup agent and a logic unit number (LUN) agent in the server SAN node; determining a target backup device based on communication between the backup agent and respective target agent of a plurality of backup devices, the plurality of backup devices being connected with the server SAN node; and transmitting a virtual disk control command to the target backup device in response to the backup or restoration being triggered, such that data in the LUN required for protection is backed up to the target backup device or restored from the target backup device via an activated virtual disk interface of the target backup device.