Single Instance Indexing for Backup Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Indexing the same file multiple times in backup images is costly in terms of machine and network resources, and time, due to varying data backup policies in corporations, which is not efficiently addressed by existing methods.
Innovation Solution
A method for single instance indexing of backup images, where a content identifier is established for each file, querying an index database to determine if the file is a duplicate, and only indexing metadata if the file is a duplicate, or indexing both metadata and content if it is not, using either file metadata or a computed checksum as the identifier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the same file is indexed multiple times in backup images, then complete data coverage is achieved, but resource consumption and indexing time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing content identifiers and querying the index database before actual indexing occurs. This pre-check mechanism determines whether files have been previously indexed, preventing redundant indexing operations and reducing overall indexing time while maintaining complete data coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses content identifiers as digital copies or representations of file content to identify duplicates. Instead of copying actual file content for comparison, the system creates and compares compact identifier representations (such as hashes or checksums), which efficiently detects duplicate files across backup images without consuming excessive resources.
2Loss of energy
If content identifiers are established and index databases are queried for every file, then duplicate indexing is avoided, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential identifying characteristics of files (content identifiers) rather than processing entire files. By separating the identification function from the indexing function, the system reduces complexity while maintaining efficiency. The content identifier serves as a simplified representation that captures the essential uniqueness of each file.
Solution Approach 2:
The index database serves multiple functions: it stores content identifiers for duplicate detection, maintains metadata information, and enables rapid file identification across multiple backup images. This multi-functional approach consolidates several operations into a single system component, reducing overall system complexity while achieving resource efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for single instance indexing of backup images is provided. In one example, a content identifier is established for a file in the backup images. An index database associated with the backup images is queried with the content identifier. Content and metadata of the file is indexed if the content identifier is not in the index database. Only the metadata for the file is indexed if the content identifier is not in the index database. In one example, the content identifier comprises a file identifier defined by the metadata for the file. In another example, the content identifier comprises a checksum computed for the file.