Snapshot Replication Baseline Check
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snapshot replication methods often result in duplicated snapshots at backup sites due to the absence of a common baseline snapshot or incomplete initial synchronization, leading to inefficient storage and management issues.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines the presence of a common baseline snapshot and checks for completed initial synchronization between source and destination devices, filtering user snapshots for replication to avoid duplication, and utilizing snapshot properties to manage replication effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the new host device performs initial synchronization of snapshots with the backup device, then all snapshots are replicated to ensure data completeness, but this causes duplicated snapshots at the backup device when a baseline snapshot already exists
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by checking for the existence of a baseline snapshot and verifying synchronization completion status before initiating the replication process. This preliminary check prevents the harmful action of duplicating snapshots that have already been replicated, while still ensuring data completeness by replicating only the necessary snapshots.
2Quantity of substance
If the system checks for common baseline snapshot and synchronization status, then duplication is avoided, but the replication process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback mechanisms by checking the synchronization status and baseline snapshot existence information returned from the backup device. This feedback allows the system to make intelligent decisions about which snapshots to replicate, avoiding duplication while maintaining a manageable process through structured information exchange and decision-making.
3Reliability
If all snapshots are replicated without checking synchronization status, then data completeness is ensured, but storage space is wasted on duplicates
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and checks specific information (baseline snapshot existence and synchronization status) before performing the replication operation. This extraction of key information allows the system to differentiate between snapshots that need replication and those that are already present, ensuring data completeness while avoiding the waste of storage space on duplicate snapshots.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques involve: in response to a first session for asynchronous snapshot replication being established between a first source device and a destination device, determining whether the first source device and the destination device have a common baseline snapshot. Such techniques further involve: in response to determining absence of the baseline snapshot, determining whether initial synchronization from a second source device to the destination device is completed. Such techniques further involve: replicating, based on a result of the determining, at least one user snapshot at the first source device to the destination device. Accordingly, duplicated user snapshots at the destination device are significantly reduced. The snapshot management and space utilization of the destination device are also improved.