Snapshot Backup Segmentation for Partial Image Restoration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional data protection solutions fail to provide flexibility in generating backups that can be partially restored, as they typically create entire image backups rather than allowing for independent restoration of snapshots or portions thereof.
Innovation Solution
The method involves splitting image backups into multiple snapshot-based backups, leveraging metadata to enable independent restoration and access of each snapshot, allowing for flexible and efficient data recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional image backup methods are used to protect data, then data can be backed up and restored, but the entire backup must be restored even when only a portion is needed, reducing efficiency and flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the backup image into multiple snapshot backups, each representing a specific point-in-time state of the asset. This segmentation allows users to restore only the required snapshot or portion rather than the entire backup image, directly addressing the contradiction by improving restoration flexibility and reducing time loss.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional image backups are created, then data protection is provided, but the backup structure does not allow independent access to snapshots or portions of the backup
Solution Approach 1:
The backup structure is segmented into multiple snapshot backups with associated metadata that enables independent identification and restoration. This segmentation increases adaptability while managing complexity through structured organization.
Solution Approach 2:
Snapshot metadata acts as an intermediary between the backup image and restoration operations, enabling intelligent selection and restoration of specific snapshots without requiring complex parsing of the entire backup structure.
3Reliability
If entire image backups are generated, then complete data protection is achieved, but storage efficiency is reduced and corruption resistance is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the backup into multiple snapshot segments improves corruption resistance because corruption in one snapshot does not affect others. The segmentation also enables more efficient storage by allowing selective retention and deletion of individual snapshots based on retention policies.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques described herein relate to a method for performing generating backups of host data. The method may include obtaining, by a data protection agent of a host, a backup request associated with an asset of the host; generating a backup image of the asset; obtaining file system metadata associated with the asset from a file system metadata repository on a storage of the host; identifying snapshot metadata included in the file system metadata; identifying snapshots included in the backup image using the snapshot metadata; for each snapshot of the snapshots: identifying backup image sub-assets associated with the snapshot using the snapshot metadata; generating a snapshot backup by storing the backup image sub-assets in a snapshot backup container on a backup storage; and generating snapshot backup metadata associated with each snapshot backup; and performing snapshot level restoration operations using at least the snapshot backup and the snapshot backup metadata.