Snapshot-Based Volume Restore from Object Store Backups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for restoring data from cloud backups require sequential acquisition and processing of multiple generations of backup data, leading to increased data transfer and processing times, especially when using object store services as backups.
Innovation Solution
A data control apparatus that connects to a cloud system with an object store, backs up data as objects, and uses snapshots to determine and restore volumes at a specific point in time by leveraging snapshot technology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If incremental backup data is acquired sequentially from oldest generation to restore a volume, then data can be restored using backup data stored in object store, but the data transfer amount and processing time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating and storing snapshot data at specific points in time before restoration is needed. The snapshot data includes information about the state of backup data at that point in time, allowing the system to directly restore to that specific point without sequentially processing all intermediate incremental backups. This pre-prepared snapshot information enables faster restoration by skipping the sequential acquisition step.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces snapshot data as an intermediary element between the incremental backup data and the restoration process. The snapshot data serves as a mediator that contains reference information about the backup state at a specific point in time, allowing the restoration system to directly access and restore from that point without needing to sequentially process all previous incremental backups. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by providing a direct path to the desired restoration point.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple generations of backup data are accumulated in object store, then data can be restored to various points in time, but the data transfer amount increases when restoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary information from the backup data by creating compact snapshot data that contains reference information about the backup state at a specific point in time. Instead of transferring and processing all the actual backup data blocks, the system extracts and stores minimal snapshot metadata that enables direct restoration. This extraction principle reduces data transfer amounts while maintaining the ability to restore to various points in time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the backup state information in the form of snapshot data, which is a lightweight representation of the backup state at a specific point in time. This snapshot copy contains reference information that allows the system to restore to that point without needing to transfer and process the entire backup data set. The copying approach enables multiple restoration points to be maintained with minimal data transfer requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
In a storage system that is connected via networks to a cloud system, which provides an object store, and backs up backup data of a predetermined volume as an object to the object store, the storage system includes a processor, and the processor is configured to determine whether the storage system stores a snapshot associated with a volume at a first point in time to be restored, and restore the volume at the first point in time using the snapshot when it is determined that the storage system stores the snapshot.