Point-in-Time Snapshot Management via Primary Secondary Storage Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data storage systems face limitations in managing point-in-time backups, particularly for clients with high recovery point objectives (RPOs) and recovery time objectives (RTOs, as storage policies restrict the amount of high-performance storage available for snapshots, hindering efficient recovery processes.
Innovation Solution
A system that manages point-in-time backups by storing snapshots on a primary storage system for immediate recovery and corresponding recovery snapshots on a secondary storage system, allowing for automatic purging of older snapshots from the primary storage while retaining them on the secondary storage, thus optimizing storage capacity and maintaining efficient recovery options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If storage policies limit the amount of high-performance storage available for point-in-time backups, then storage costs are controlled, but recovery speed and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage system into two distinct parts: high-performance primary storage for recent snapshots requiring fast recovery, and lower-performance secondary storage for older snapshots. This segmentation allows each storage type to be optimized for its specific purpose, maintaining fast recovery for critical recent data while controlling overall storage costs by using cheaper storage for less time-sensitive older data.
2Productivity
If more high-performance storage is allocated for point-in-time backups, then recovery efficiency improves, but storage costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically manages snapshot distribution between primary and secondary storage based on age, access patterns, and storage capacity. Recent snapshots remain on high-performance primary storage for immediate recovery, while older snapshots are automatically moved to lower-performance secondary storage. This dynamic approach ensures optimal recovery efficiency for time-critical operations while minimizing storage costs by utilizing cheaper storage for less time-sensitive data.
3Adaptability or versatility
If storage policies restrict high-performance storage capacity, then cost-effectiveness improves, but the ability to meet high RPO and RTO objectives deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different storage qualities for different snapshots based on their recovery priorities. Recent snapshots that require fast recovery (low RTO) are stored on high-performance primary storage with fast access characteristics, while older snapshots are stored on lower-performance secondary storage. This localized quality differentiation allows the system to meet high RPO and RTO objectives for critical recent data while maintaining cost-effectiveness for overall storage management.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a system for managing point-in-time backups (or “snapshots”) of data that are stored as part of a primary storage. As part of a data protection service, a set of snapshots may be stored on the primary storage system for efficient and immediate recovery, and a set of corresponding recovery snapshots may be stored on a secondary storage system for recovery purposes. Accordingly, the system may provide the ability to leverage the efficient storage mechanisms of the primary storage, while still maintaining the data storage efficiency (e.g. costs) of the secondary storage. Moreover, the system may manage the snapshots stored on the primary and secondary storages independently. For example, the system may fully leverage the available capacity of storage pools within the primary storage by automatically purging certain snapshots from the primary storage while still maintaining the corresponding recovery snapshots on the secondary storage.