Snapshot Difference Interface for In-Place Object Store Cataloging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in efficiently cataloging and managing large numbers of snapshots stored in an object store due to limitations in interpreting object formats, resource consumption, security restrictions, and reliance on primary system APIs, leading to issues like data loss and resource starvation.
Innovation Solution
Integrate a snapshot difference interface into an object store data management container that operates directly on snapshots within the object store, allowing for on-demand instance creation and management to identify differences without relying on primary system APIs, thus overcoming security constraints and resource limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If snapshots are stored in object store, then storage cost is reduced, but snapshot management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an orchestrator as an intermediary component that manages snapshot operations between the primary storage system and the object store. The orchestrator coordinates snapshot creation, catalogs snapshot differences, and manages restoration processes, thereby reducing the complexity burden on individual components while enabling cost-effective object store utilization for snapshot storage
2Ease of operation
If snapshot difference API is hosted on primary storage system, then snapshot cataloging is simplified, but resource bottlenecks and data loss risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the snapshot management functionality by separating the snapshot difference API from the primary storage system. The API is deployed as a distributed service that can run on any node with access to the object store, eliminating the single-point bottleneck and improving system reliability while maintaining cataloging capabilities
3Reliability
If distributed snapshot difference interface is implemented, then reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The orchestrator is designed as a universal component that handles multiple snapshot management tasks including creating snapshots, cataloging differences, managing object store operations, and coordinating restorations. This multi-functional design consolidates complexity into a single coordinating entity rather than distributing it across multiple specialized components
4Use of energy by moving object
If checkpoints are implemented for on-demand processing, then resource consumption is reduced, but processing time may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic checkpointing where snapshot difference cataloging is performed in scheduled intervals rather than continuously. Checkpoints capture the state of snapshot catalogs at specific moments, allowing the system to pause and resume processing as needed, thereby reducing continuous resource consumption while maintaining acceptable processing throughput
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are provided for a snapshot difference interface integrated into an object store data management container. The snapshot difference interface is capable of interpreting an object format and snapshot file system format of snapshots backed up to an object store within objects formatted according to the object format. The snapshot difference interface can identify differences between snapshots, such as files that changed between the snapshots, while the snapshots are still resident within the object store. Because the snapshot difference interface does not retrieve the snapshots from the object store, security is improved, resource and network consumption is reduced, there is less of an impact upon client I/O processing, and a catalog of the snapshots can be more efficiently built and recovered in the event of corruption.