Data Storage Configuration Restoration via Automated XML Comparison
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for restoring data storage system configurations are unreliable due to human error, requiring manual data entry and involving complex manual steps for recovering from corrupted meta data and objects.
Innovation Solution
An automated method using an XML configuration file and script-driven internal engine to detect discrepancies and rebuild configurations, ensuring data integrity by comparing current and captured configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual data entry and manual restoration steps are used, then human operators can restore configurations, but reliability deteriorates due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis and self-restoration by automatically detecting corrupted metadata, comparing it with captured configuration data, and rebuilding the configuration without human intervention. The storage system autonomously identifies discrepancies and executes restoration procedures, eliminating reliance on manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system captures and stores configuration data before potential corruption occurs. This preliminary action creates a backup configuration that can be used for restoration, allowing the system to quickly recover from corruption without manual data entry or configuration reconstruction.
2Productivity
If manual configuration restoration is performed, then flexibility in handling complex scenarios is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming manual steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (keyboard input, mouse clicks, manual navigation through restoration steps) with an automated software-driven process. The system uses script-driven automation and comparative analysis algorithms to perform restoration tasks that would otherwise require manual execution, significantly increasing speed while maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors configuration integrity, compares current metadata with captured configuration data, and automatically triggers restoration when discrepancies are detected. This closed-loop feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual monitoring and intervention, accelerating the restoration process while simplifying operations.
3Reliability
If captured configuration data is used for restoration, then data integrity is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional storage and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates and maintains a copy of the configuration data in a structured format (such as XML). This captured configuration serves as a reference for verification and restoration, ensuring data integrity while using standard file-based storage mechanisms that do not significantly increase system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The captured configuration data serves multiple functions: it acts as a backup for restoration, a reference for integrity verification, and a template for configuration validation. This multi-functionality maximizes the utility of the stored data without requiring separate systems or complex architectures for each purpose.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is used in restoring configurations of data storage system. A captured configuration is produced from capturing a configuration of a data storage system. The configuration includes a mapping of hierarchical objects. The captured configuration is used to help ensure that the configuration is not corrupted.