Switch Online Snapshot Restoration via Database Instantiation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing switch systems face challenges in efficiently facilitating online restoration of switch snapshots, as they require manual intervention, result in downtime, and are inefficient in managing persistent storage of configuration information in unstructured formats.

Innovation Solution

A switch with a persistent storage module that stores configuration information in a structured data structure, allowing for the instantiation of a restoration database instance and retrieval of attribute values to apply differences to switch modules, enabling online restoration without rebooting, using a retrieval module to identify and apply changes based on class definitions and interdependencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the switch is rebooted with a snapshot during restoration, then the switch configuration can be restored to a previous state, but the switch becomes offline and unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration restoration capabilityVSAvoiddowntime during restoration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent loads the snapshot configuration into a temporary database instance before applying it to the running switch. This preliminary loading allows the restoration data to be prepared and validated in advance, enabling the subsequent application phase to proceed without requiring a full reboot and minimizing service interruption time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a temporary database instance as an intermediary between the snapshot file and the running switch configuration. This intermediary layer allows the restoration process to occur in memory without requiring the switch to reboot, acting as a buffer that enables configuration restoration while maintaining continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If configuration information is stored in unstructured format in local storage, then persistent storage is achieved, but managing and retrieving configuration efficiently becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersistent storage capabilityVSAvoidconfiguration management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments configuration information into structured database tables with defined schemas, data types, and relationships. Instead of storing configuration as unstructured text or binary data, the configuration is divided into manageable database objects that can be efficiently queried, validated, and restored, reducing management complexity while maintaining persistence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms configuration data from unstructured format into structured database parameters with defined schemas. By changing the organizational parameters of configuration storage from flat files to relational database structures, the system enables efficient retrieval, validation, and restoration operations while maintaining persistent storage capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If manual intervention is used to take and restore snapshots, then configuration backup and restoration can be performed, but the process becomes tedious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesnapshot backup capabilityVSAvoidrestoration operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automated snapshot management where the system itself performs backup and restoration operations without requiring manual user intervention. The switch can automatically create snapshots of its configuration database, manage snapshot storage, and restore from snapshots using automated processes, making the operation simple and reducing time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (user typing commands, navigating menus) with automated software-based snapshot management. The system uses automated database dumping, file management, and restoration procedures that execute without user interaction, substituting the mechanical manual process with an automated computational system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9626255B2Online restoration of a switch snapshot

Publication Date: 2017.04.18 AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE LTD

AI summary

One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch. The switch includes one or more ports, a persistent storage module, a restoration module, and a retrieval module. The persistent storage module stores configuration information associated with the switch in a data structure, which includes one or more columns for attribute values of the configuration information, in a local persistent storage. The restoration module instantiates a restoration database instance in the persistent storage from an image of the persistent storage. The retrieval module retrieves attribute values from a data structure in a current database instance and the restoration database instance in the persistent storage. The restoration module then applies the differences between attribute values of the restoration database instance and the current database instance in the persistent storage to switch modules of the switch, and operates the restoration database instance as the current database instance in the persistent storage.