Snapshot Capability-Aware Tagging for Application Resource Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Typical backup/restore applications cannot determine whether creating a snapshot of an application resource is possible, leading to inefficiencies and manual intervention by data protection administrators, which can result in delays and errors.
Innovation Solution
Implementing snapshot capability-aware discovery by tagging application resources that satisfy specific rules, allowing the system to automatically determine if a snapshot can be created and efficiently manage backup processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual determination of snapshot capability is used, then data protection administrators can make informed decisions, but the process requires manual intervention which causes delays and errors
Solution Approach 1:
The application host automatically determines snapshot capability by evaluating snapshot capability rules without requiring manual intervention from data protection administrators. The system self-services by autonomously tagging application resources based on discovered capabilities and rules, eliminating delays while maintaining accuracy through systematic rule evaluation
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary discovery of application resources and their snapshot capabilities before backup operations are initiated. By pre-evaluating snapshot capability rules and tagging resources in advance, the system prepares necessary information proactively, eliminating the need for manual determination during critical backup windows
2Productivity
If snapshot capability rules are not evaluated, then the system operates without complex rule evaluation, but manual intervention is required leading to inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The snapshot capability determination process is segmented into discrete, evaluable rules that can be independently assessed. Each snapshot capability rule represents a separate criterion (such as storage type, application compatibility, or resource characteristics), allowing the system to evaluate complexity in manageable segments rather than as a monolithic manual process
Solution Approach 2:
Snapshot capability tags serve as intermediaries between the complex rule evaluation logic and the backup operation execution. The tags encapsulate the results of multiple rule evaluations, simplifying the interface between discovery processes and backup operations while maintaining the rigor of comprehensive rule assessment
3Reliability
If the system discovers all application resources, then comprehensive backup coverage is achieved, but the discovery process becomes complex requiring capability awareness
Solution Approach 1:
The discovery process applies different evaluation criteria and snapshot capability rules based on the specific type and characteristics of each application resource. Rather than using a uniform complex evaluation for all resources, the system tailors the discovery approach to local resource properties, achieving comprehensive coverage while managing complexity through context-aware evaluation
Data Source
AI summary
Tagging application resources for snapshot capability-aware discovery is described. If an application's host determines that one of an application's resource satisfies any snapshot capability rule, the application's host associates the application resource with a snapshot capable tag. The application's host outputs an identifier of the application resource and any associated snapshot capable tag to a backup server. The application's host inputs a request from the backup server to create a snapshot of the application resource associated with the snapshot capable tag and creates the snapshot of the application resource associated with the snapshot capable tag.