Selective Data Item Restoration via Metadata Indexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data backup systems are inefficient as they typically restore entire data storage when only a few files need to be restored, making the process tedious and lengthy.
Innovation Solution
A data backup, search, and restore service is implemented with a search and restore interface on a client computer that allows users to specify search criteria, compare metadata, and selectively restore specific data items by comparing header information between the data system and backup system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If entire data storage is restored to a restore point, then data completeness is ensured, but restoration time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the restoration process by implementing granular-level recovery capabilities. Instead of restoring entire data storage systems, the system allows restoration of individual files, folders, or specific data elements. This is achieved through metadata-based indexing that enables precise identification and recovery of only the required data segments, thereby reducing restoration time while maintaining data completeness for the specific elements needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the necessary data elements from the backup storage for restoration. The system identifies specific files or data items that need recovery and extracts only those elements rather than restoring the entire data set. This extraction approach is facilitated by detailed metadata tracking that records the location and characteristics of individual data items, enabling selective restoration that saves time while ensuring completeness of the required data.
2Measurement precision
If metadata information is captured and stored for all data items, then search accuracy improves, but storage requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing differential metadata storage. Instead of uniformly storing complete metadata for all data items, the system stores detailed metadata only for changed, new, or frequently accessed data elements, while using simplified references for unchanged items. This approach maintains high search accuracy for relevant data while reducing overall storage requirements and system complexity through selective metadata management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-processing and indexing metadata during the backup operation itself. Rather than creating complex metadata structures during restoration, the system prepares organized metadata indexes during the initial backup process, making subsequent searches efficient and accurate. This preliminary organization reduces the computational complexity during restoration operations while maintaining high search precision.
3Productivity
If header information comparison is performed between data system and backup system, then selective restoration efficiency improves, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing header information comparison only on a selective subset of data items rather than analyzing entire data sets. The system compares headers of potentially changed files or data elements that are candidates for restoration, avoiding unnecessary processing of unchanged items. This selective comparison approach improves restoration efficiency by focusing computational resources only where needed, thereby reducing overall processing overhead and energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A backup, search, and restore service is provided. The service can be achieved through a backup system, and a search and restore server. A user can be enabled to initiate a search request for one or more data items. A search can be performed by the search and restore server using metadata for the data items backed up by the backup system to return the one or more data items. The metadata for the data items can be generated by the backup system when data items are backed up by the backup system. The backup system may back up the data items on an incremental basis. The user can be enabled to select a data item in the one or more data items for restoration on the data system. Header information of the selected data item can be obtained from the data system to determine whether the restoration is necessary.