Direct Storage-to-Backup File Transfer via Logical Block Addressing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data backup methods for storage systems are inefficient due to the need for a host system to mediate data transfer between the storage system and the backup storage system, leading to bottlenecks caused by slow data transfer speeds and overhead, as neither system can directly reconstruct file systems to identify corresponding blocks.
Innovation Solution
Directly transferring files from a storage system to a backup storage system by determining logical block addresses or inode values for files to be backed up, allowing the storage system to push identified blocks directly to the backup system without host intervention, using a storage area network and multi-path I/O for interconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a host system is used to mediate data transfer between storage system and backup storage system, then data transfer can be performed using existing FTP connections, but data transfer speed is slow and host becomes a bottleneck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the host system from the data transfer path by enabling direct communication between the storage system and backup storage system. The storage system independently determines logical block addresses and initiates data transfer without host mediation, eliminating the host as a performance bottleneck while maintaining compatibility with existing backup infrastructure through standard protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communication module as an intermediary within the storage system that facilitates direct data transfer to the backup storage system. This module determines logical block addresses and manages the transfer process independently, acting as a built-in mediator that eliminates the need for external host mediation while maintaining protocol compatibility.
2Loss of information
If a host system mediates data transfer, then file system information can be accessed, but overhead is added to the backup operation
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system performs self-service by independently determining logical block addresses and initiating data transfer to the backup storage system without requiring host system intervention. The communication module within the storage system accesses necessary file system information and manages the entire backup process autonomously, eliminating host-related overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage system performs preliminary actions by pre-determining logical block addresses and preparing data for transfer before initiating the backup process. The communication module identifies and queues logical blocks for transfer in advance, enabling efficient direct transfer without requiring real-time host mediation during the actual data movement.
3Speed
If direct data transfer between storage systems is implemented, then transfer speed improves, but neither system has information to reconstruct file system
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system performs preliminary action by determining logical block addresses before data transfer. The communication module identifies the exact logical blocks that need to be transferred and provides this information to the backup storage system in advance, enabling the backup system to reconstruct the file system structure without requiring real-time host mediation.
Data Source
AI summary
Transferring files directly from a storage system to a backup storage system includes determining identifiers for blocks on the storage system that correspond to files that are to be backed up, providing the identifiers for the blocks to the storage system, and the storage system pushing the blocks indicated by the identifiers directly from the storage system to the backup storage system. The identifiers may be logical block addresses. Determining the logical block addresses may vary according to a file system for files that are to be backed up. Determining the logical block address may include determining an inode value for each of the files that are to be backed up or may include determining a logical cluster number for each of the files that are to be backed up. The backup storage system may include a media server and a storage device.