Streaming Restore Cloning for Rapid Endpoint System Replication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for creating clones of computer systems are time-consuming and resource-intensive, involving the creation of large backup images that consume significant storage space and bandwidth, and are not resumable in case of interruptions, leading to performance issues and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the transfer of data blocks representing the state of a source computer system to an endpoint system, where the clone is created by restoring these blocks as they are received, allowing for concurrent cloning across multiple endpoints and resuming operations from the point of interruption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional backup image creation methods are used, then complete system cloning is achieved, but storage space and bandwidth consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclone completenessVSAvoidstorage space and bandwidth
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the backup image into discrete blocks that can be transmitted and restored independently. This segmentation allows the system to transfer only necessary data portions rather than entire images, reducing storage and bandwidth requirements while maintaining complete clone capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential data blocks needed for cloning from the complete backup image. By identifying and transferring only necessary blocks rather than the entire image, the system reduces data consumption while still achieving complete system cloning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If traditional backup image transfer methods are used, then complete data restoration is ensured, but transfer time increases and performance is impacted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata restoration completenessVSAvoidclone creation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by creating a map of blocks and determining the restore point before actual data transfer begins. This allows the system to prepare restoration parameters and block identifiers in advance, enabling faster transfer and restoration operations without compromising data completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous block transfer and restoration operations without requiring complete image transfer first. By restoring blocks as they are received rather than waiting for complete image transfer, the system maintains continuous useful action and reduces total clone creation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If traditional backup methods are used, then full system cloning is achieved, but the process cannot be resumed after interruption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclone integrityVSAvoidoperation resumption capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms that track which blocks have been transferred and restored. This feedback information enables the system to resume operations from the exact point of interruption rather than restarting from beginning, maintaining clone integrity while improving operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a dynamic restoration process where the restore point can change based on interruption conditions. The system can pause and resume at different points in the block transfer sequence, making the operation adaptive to interruption scenarios while ensuring complete clone integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If large backup images are created, then complete system state is captured, but resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem state accuracyVSAvoidcomputational resources
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the system state into discrete blocks that can be processed and transferred independently. This segmentation reduces the computational resources needed compared to handling large complete images, while still capturing accurate system state information through the block map and restore point mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8938643B1Cloning using streaming restore
Publication Date: 2015.01.20 CA TECH INC
  • US8938643B1 patent drawing
  • US8938643B1 patent drawing
  • US8938643B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Various systems and methods for creating a clone using streaming restore. For example, one method can involve receiving a set of storage blocks that include data associated with a state of a source computing entity. The method then involves creating a clone of the source computer system at an endpoint computer system. The endpoint computer system creates the clone by restoring the storage blocks, which involves storing the storage blocks to a memory at the endpoint computer system. The created clone has a state that corresponds to the state of the source computer system.