Sequential Log Snapshot Management for Non-Volatile Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing backup processes for data are time and resource intensive, especially during busy high-use times, causing disruptions to data access and requiring significant resources, which existing technologies fail to mitigate effectively.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method and apparatus for creating and managing snapshots of data in a non-volatile device using a sequential log structure, where data is written sequentially and snapshots are marked with a logical-to-physical mapping based on temporal order, allowing for efficient preservation and activation of data states without the need for extensive copying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional backup processes are used to create data copies, then data protection is achieved, but storage operations become time and resource intensive with significant disruptions to data access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the backup process into two distinct phases: a rapid snapshot creation phase that marks temporal points in the sequential log without copying data, and a deferred resource-intensive phase that processes the snapshot data. This segmentation allows the snapshot to be created immediately with minimal impact on data access, while the heavy processing occurs later when resources are available.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by creating snapshot markers in the sequential log structure before actual data copying or processing occurs. These markers record the temporal state of data at specific points, enabling rapid snapshot creation that doesn't block data access. The actual data processing is deferred to a later time when it can be performed without impacting production workloads.
2Reliability
If backups are performed during busy high-use times, then data protection is maintained, but the negative effects on data access are magnified
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary snapshot marking actions during high-use times that require minimal resources, then defers the resource-intensive data processing to low-use times. The sequential log structure with temporal markers allows the snapshot to be logically created immediately, protecting data without blocking access, while actual copying and processing occur in the background during off-peak periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by scheduling resource-intensive snapshot processing operations during low-use periods while maintaining continuous snapshot capability through lightweight marking operations. This periodic processing approach ensures that heavy backup tasks are performed when they least interfere with data access, while data protection remains active throughout all periods.
3Reliability
If extensive data copying is performed for snapshots, then complete data protection is achieved, but resource consumption and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a selective copying approach where only the minimal necessary information (temporal markers and metadata) is copied immediately to create the snapshot, while the actual data copying is deferred and performed selectively. This reduces the immediate complexity and resource consumption of snapshot creation, while still achieving complete data protection through the deferred copying process.
Solution Approach 2:
The snapshot management process is segmented into distinct operational phases: marker creation, data identification, and deferred copying. This segmentation simplifies the immediate snapshot creation operation to a lightweight marking task, while the complex data copying is separated into a subsequent processing phase that can be managed independently with appropriate resource allocation.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for snapshots of a non-volatile device. A method includes writing data in a sequential log structure for a non-volatile device. A method includes marking a point, in a sequential log structure, for a snapshot of data. A method includes preserving a logical-to-physical mapping for a snapshot based on a marked point and a temporal order for data in a sequential log structure.