Storage Based Splitter for Virtual Machine Data Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data protection systems face challenges in maintaining continuous data protection without slowing down the production site, as they struggle to keep pace with high data transaction rates, leading to potential system shutdowns and inadequate recovery capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that intercepts IO operations at a virtual machine file system using a storage-based splitter, replicating these operations to a replica of the image and periodically mounting the replica to create database entries for tracking virtual machine activity, enabling continuous data protection and recovery at any point in time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If journaling is used to enable continuous data protection and rollback capability, then the ability to recover to any specified point in time is improved, but the overhead of multiple data transactions at the backup site causes the system to choke and force production site shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data protection function into two independent components: a production site that generates data transactions and a backup site that processes journaling operations. The production site continues to operate at full speed while the backup site processes journal entries asynchronously, allowing the system to maintain both high productivity and reliable recovery capability without forcing shutdowns
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a journal buffer as an intermediary between the production site and backup site. This buffer decouples the two sites, allowing the production site to write journal entries at high speed without waiting for the backup site to process them. The buffer absorbs the timing differences and allows asynchronous processing, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high transaction rates and ensuring reliable backup operations
2Reliability
If the backup site processes all data transactions to keep pace with the production site, then continuous data protection is maintained, but the production site is forced to slow down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the production site write journal entries to a local buffer immediately without waiting for backup site processing. This allows the production site to maintain high transaction speeds while the backup site processes entries at its own pace, eliminating the need to slow down the production site while still maintaining continuous data protection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the system dynamic by allowing the backup site to process journal entries at variable rates based on its current load and capacity. The journal buffer dynamically adjusts to accommodate fluctuations in processing speed, allowing the production site to operate at constant high speed while the backup site adapts its processing rate to maintain continuous protection without becoming a bottleneck
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, and computer program product for intercepting IO to a virtual machine file system by a storage based splitter, replicating, via a replication appliance, the IO to a replica of the image; the replica of the image containing a replica of the virtual machine file system, and periodically mounting the replica of the virtual machine file system to create entries for a database tracking information about the virtual machines running in the hypervisor.