Segment-Based Indexing for Backup Data Deduplication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional content indexing for backup data is processor and memory intensive, leading to significant network bandwidth consumption and storage space requirements due to the need for duplicate backup copies of identical data segments across multiple machines.
Innovation Solution
Implementing global single instance segment-based indexing by dividing backup data into segments, generating unique fingerprints for each segment, and storing these in an index database, which allows for efficient identification and tracking of duplicate segments, thereby avoiding redundant backups and indexing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional content indexing is used to traverse and index complete backup items, then data can be located based on content, but processor and memory intensive operations consume enormous network bandwidth and storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides backup data items into smaller segments and creates indexes only for these segments rather than traversing complete backup items. This segmentation approach reduces the amount of data that needs to be processed and transmitted over the network, thereby reducing network bandwidth consumption while still enabling content-based data location through the segment indexes.
2Loss of information
If traditional content indexing traverses complete backup items for every client, then comprehensive indexing is achieved, but processor and memory resources are excessively consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments backup data into smaller units and indexes only these segments rather than performing exhaustive traversal of complete backup items. This reduces processor and memory consumption during indexing operations while maintaining the ability to locate data through segment-based indexes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial indexing by selecting only certain segments of backup data for indexing rather than indexing all data comprehensively. This partial action approach reduces processing resources consumed while still providing effective data location capability for the most relevant segments.
3Reliability
If duplicate backup copies are maintained across multiple machines, then data protection is enhanced, but storage space requirements increase exponentially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides data into segments and creates unique indexes for each segment. This allows the system to identify and eliminate duplicate segments across multiple backup copies, reducing total storage space requirements while maintaining data protection through the indexed segment structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses segment copying with unique indexing to create efficient backup representations. Instead of copying complete duplicate backup items, the system copies and indexes only unique segments, reducing storage space while maintaining the ability to restore complete data sets.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for global single instance segment-based indexing are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for global single instance segment-based indexing for backup data. The method may comprise dividing an item being backed up into segments, generating a fingerprint for each segment, and saving an entry for each segment in an index database. Each entry may comprise the fingerprint for the segment.