Synchronized Backup Copy Manager for Federated Applications

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in creating consistent backup copies for federated applications that span multiple operating systems and storage systems, often requiring application downtime or inefficient storage resource usage.

Innovation Solution

A synchronized backup copy manager is implemented to generate a consistent online backup copy across multiple host devices with different storage systems by synchronizing the creation of backup copies on each device within the same time period, using a VSS-based framework to coordinate freeze and thaw events across diverse operating systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If administrators rely on underlying storage infrastructure crash consistency technology to create a consistent image, then consistency of backup copy is improved, but device complexity and storage resource efficiency worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistency of backup copyVSAvoidstorage infrastructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a backup copy manager as an intermediary component that coordinates backup operations across multiple host devices. This manager synchronizes the creation of backup copies by controlling the timing and coordination between different storage systems, eliminating the need for complex storage infrastructure consistency groups while ensuring backup consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The backup copy manager provides a universal solution that works across diverse storage infrastructures without requiring specific storage system support for consistency groups. It handles coordination independently of the underlying storage system, making the solution applicable to various storage configurations including those that don't support consistency groups.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If cold backups are used to create a consistent backup copy, then consistency is improved, but loss of time worsens due to application downtime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistency of backup copyVSAvoidapplication downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The backup copy manager performs preliminary actions by coordinating with application components before the actual backup copy creation. It establishes synchronization points and prepares the system state in advance, allowing consistent backups to be created without requiring application downtime. The manager controls the timing of backup operations to ensure consistency while maintaining application availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If independent backups of each component are taken separately, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of backup consistency worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup management complexityVSAvoidbackup copy consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the coordination of independent backup operations into a unified backup copy manager that controls all backup activities across host devices. While individual component backups remain independent, the manager synchronizes them by controlling the timing and coordination, ensuring that all backup copies are created within the same time period and are consistent with each other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If storage systems support consistency groups, then reliability of backup consistency is improved, but adaptability to different storage systems worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup copy consistencyVSAvoidstorage system compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The backup copy manager acts as an intermediary that provides a universal coordination mechanism independent of specific storage system capabilities. It implements its own synchronization and consistency control logic, allowing it to work with any storage system regardless of whether the storage system natively supports consistency groups. This makes the solution adaptable to diverse storage infrastructures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11899539B2Synchronized generation of backup copy for federated application in an information processing system

Publication Date: 2024.02.13 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

Techniques disclosed herein provide improved techniques for generating backup copies associated with applications. For example, a method comprises managing synchronous generation of a backup copy of an application comprised of two or more application components respectively executed on two or more host devices, wherein each host device has a storage system associated therewith, by controlling the creation of a backup copy of each application component executed on each host device on its associated storage system within the same time period.