Snapshot Storage Proxy for Object Storage Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cloud computing environments face complexity in managing snapshots across different storage architectures, leading to increased development and management costs due to the need for separate tools for each type of storage solution, and conventional solutions either restrict storage architectures or require costly data copying.

Innovation Solution

A snapshot storage proxy is implemented to facilitate communication translation between snapshot storage data and object storage interfaces, allowing non-object data to be accessed using object storage tools without replication, thereby reducing costs and improving resource efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate tools are used for each storage solution type, then storage management capability is improved, but development and management costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage management capabilityVSAvoiddevelopment and management costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal storage management interface that can handle multiple storage solution types (object storage, block storage, file storage) through a single standardized API. The system translates requests from the unified interface into appropriate operations for different storage backends, eliminating the need for separate management tools for each storage type and thereby reducing development and management costs while maintaining comprehensive storage management capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a translation layer that acts as an intermediary between the unified storage management interface and the diverse storage backends. This mediator translates and adapts requests between the standardized interface and different storage protocols, allowing a single management tool to effectively control multiple storage solutions without requiring direct integration with each storage type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If data copying is used to enable access, then storage accessibility is improved, but storage and processing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage accessibilityVSAvoidstorage and processing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The translation layer serves as an intermediary that enables access to storage data without requiring physical data copying. It translates access requests into appropriate operations for the underlying storage backend and returns results in the expected format, providing storage accessibility while avoiding the storage and processing costs associated with replicating data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physical data copying with a virtual translation mechanism. Instead of duplicating data to enable access, the system uses protocol translation to bridge different storage interfaces, achieving the same accessibility goal without the associated storage and processing overhead of data replication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If conventional storage solutions are used, then storage functionality is maintained, but storage architecture flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage functionalityVSAvoidstorage architecture flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal storage management interface that can interact with multiple storage architectures (object, block, file storage) through a single standardized API. This unified interface maintains the reliability and functionality of existing storage systems while providing the flexibility to work across different storage architectures, enabling hybrid cloud environments and multi-cloud strategies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the interface parameters and communication protocols to be standardized and architecture-agnostic. By abstracting the underlying storage details and providing a consistent interface layer, the system maintains storage functionality while enabling flexible architecture choices and future-proofing against storage technology changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12079178B2Snapshot volume proxy for object storage interfaces

Publication Date: 2024.09.03 RED HAT LLC

AI summary

A snapshot storage proxy receives a request from an object storage interface component to access a snapshot volume, wherein the request is formatted to interact with object storage data, and wherein the snapshot volume is stored as non-object storage data; translates the request from the object storage interface into a snapshot volume request, wherein the snapshot volume request is formatted to interact with non-object storage data; and accesses the snapshot volume in view of the translated snapshot volume request.