Environment Independent Data Protection via Server-Side Copy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional data protection solutions in cloud environments are not environment-independent, requiring customization for specific operating systems and storage stack software components, leading to increased complexity and resource usage for data backup.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a server-side copy method that generates metadata representing or pointing to the actual data, allowing for environment-independent data protection without relying on native operating system and storage stack technologies, thus eliminating the need for data copying from the application node to backup storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If snapshot technologies are used for data protection, then data can be protected at specific points in time, but the solution becomes specific to given operating systems and storage stack software components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata protectionVSAvoidenvironment independence

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses server-side copying to create backup copies of data blocks in the cloud storage environment. Instead of relying on OS-specific snapshot mechanisms, the system copies data blocks from the primary storage location to backup storage locations, creating environment-independent protection that works across different operating systems and storage stacks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a cloud storage environment as an intermediary layer between the operating system and the backup storage. This intermediary abstracts the backup process from OS-specific dependencies, allowing the data protection solution to be portable across different environments without being tied to specific operating systems or storage stack components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If data is copied from application node to backup target storage, then data protection is achieved, but computing resources are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata protectionVSAvoidcomputing resources

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service backup by leveraging the cloud storage environment's inherent capabilities to store and manage backup data. The system uses available cloud storage resources for backup operations rather than consuming additional computing resources on the application node, allowing the backup process to serve itself using the existing cloud infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical data copying process with a metadata-based approach. Instead of physically copying data blocks from application node to backup storage, the system uses server-side copy commands that operate at the storage layer, substituting the traditional mechanical copy operation with a more efficient storage-level operation that consumes fewer computing resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If conventional snapshot technologies are used, then data can be protected, but the protection solution must be customized for each specific environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata protectionVSAvoidsoftware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal data protection solution that works across multiple operating systems and storage environments. By using cloud storage's server-side copy capability and working with data blocks in an environment-independent manner, the system achieves multi-functionality that eliminates the need for separate customized solutions for different OS and storage stack combinations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the data protection functionality from OS-specific snapshot mechanisms and relocates it to the cloud storage environment. By taking out the backup logic from the operating system layer and implementing it at the cloud storage layer, the solution removes dependencies on specific OS components and storage stacks, simplifying the overall software architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11372722B2Environment independent data protection in a highly available data system

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods for providing data protection services are provided. In one example, data protection services are provided in a high availability system. Server side copies of the data stored in or by nodes or servers of the high availability system are generated. The server side copies are independent of the operating systems and storage hierarchies associated with the actual data. The resulting backup copies can be generated by storing metadata that includes references to the original data. The backup copies can also be restored without being hindered by the operating systems and storage hierarchies of the highly available system.