Secondary Storage Editor for Backup Metadata Editing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current secondary storage devices for backup data are read-only, preventing users from editing or modifying backup items beyond deletion, which limits data management and compliance with regulations, especially in scenarios requiring selective deletion or modification of sensitive data.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allow users to edit metadata associated with backup data, enabling modifications such as changing file paths, renaming, deleting, or modifying retention policies without altering the underlying backup data, and logging these changes for auditable purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If backup data is stored in a non-human readable format on secondary storage, then data protection and storage efficiency are improved, but the ability to edit or modify backup items is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates backup data into two distinct components: the actual backup data stored in non-human readable format on secondary storage, and metadata stored in a readable index. This segmentation allows the backup data to remain protected and space-efficient while the metadata can be freely edited through the graphical interface, resolving the contradiction between data protection and editability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces metadata as an intermediary layer between the user and the actual backup data. Users interact with and edit metadata (file paths, names, retention policies) rather than the backup data directly. This intermediary approach enables easy modification while preserving the integrity and protection of the underlying backup data.
2Quantity of substance
If backup data is compressed or deduplicated to reduce storage requirements, then long-term storage costs are reduced, but restore operations become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by creating and maintaining an index of metadata during the backup process. This index contains all necessary information about the backup data including its location, structure, and characteristics. When restore operations are needed, this pre-prepared index enables straightforward retrieval and restoration processes, eliminating the complexity that would otherwise result from compression and deduplication.
3Stability of the object's composition
If secondary storage devices are made read-only to protect backup data, then data integrity is improved, but data management flexibility and compliance capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the backup system into read-only backup data stored on secondary storage and editable metadata stored in a separate index. This segmentation maintains the integrity of the backup data while allowing flexible management of metadata, enabling compliance with regulations that require selective deletion or modification of backup items.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables parameter changes by allowing modification of metadata attributes (such as retention policies, file paths, and names) without changing the actual backup data. This approach provides the flexibility needed for data management and compliance while preserving the stability and integrity of the backup data itself.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for storage pruning can enable users to delete, edit, or copy backed up data that matches a pattern. Storage pruning can enable fine-grain deletion or copying of these files from backups stored in secondary storage devices. Systems and methods can also enable editing of metadata associated with backups so that when the backups are restored or browsed, the logical edits to the metadata can then be performed physically on the data to create a custom restore or a custom view. A user may perform operations such as renaming, deleting, modifying flags, and modifying retention policies on backed up items. Although the underlying data in the backup may not change, the view of the backup data when the user browses the backup data can appear to include the user's changes. A restore of the data can cause those changes to be performed on the backup data.