Synthetic Backup Sorted Catalog Sequential Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional synthetic backup systems face performance issues due to inefficiencies in reading and writing files from storage devices, particularly when using sequential storage, as they often produce either sorted or unsorted backup images, leading to increased resource consumption and time requirements.
Innovation Solution
The method involves creating a sorted catalog of files for synthetic backups by indexing them based on characteristics and reading them in an order aligned with their storage locations on the devices, allowing for efficient grouping and sequential access, especially on sequential access storage devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If files are read from backup storage devices in sorted order to produce a sorted synthetic backup image, then the backup image is properly organized for future operations, but sequential storage devices cannot be used efficiently due to non-sequential read requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the backup process into two independent components: (1) generating a sorted catalog that defines the desired output order, and (2) reading files from storage devices in their physical sequence. This segmentation allows each component to optimize for its specific requirement without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary sorted catalog that acts as a mediator between the unsorted files on sequential storage devices and the required sorted backup image. The catalog stores file metadata and ordering information, enabling the system to produce sorted output while reading sequentially from storage.
2Productivity
If files are read sequentially from backup storage devices, then sequential storage devices can be used and read operations are simplified, but the resulting synthetic backup image has files in unsorted order reducing efficiency for subsequent operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by creating a sorted catalog before generating the synthetic backup image. This catalog pre-establishes the correct file ordering and contains all necessary metadata, so that when files are read sequentially from storage, they can be written to the backup image in the proper sorted order without requiring post-processing or reorganization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically repositioning storage device read heads to access files in sorted order with an informational approach using a sorted catalog. Instead of mechanically seeking to random positions on sequential storage, the system uses the catalog to maintain logical sorted order while following the physical sequential read path.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional synthetic backup systems read files in non-sequential order to maintain sorted order, then backup images are properly organized, but resource consumption and operation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by not trying to read files in sorted order from sequential storage, but instead reading them in physical sequence and using a sorted catalog to guide the writing process. This inversion acknowledges the constraints of sequential storage and works around them rather than against them.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for synthetic backups may include identifying a full backup of a volume of files. The computer-implemented method may also include identifying a set of incremental backups that were performed subsequently to the full backup. The computer-implemented method may further include identifying a set of storage devices that store the full backup and the set of incremental backups. The computer-implemented method may additionally include identifying a request to create a synthetic backup incorporating the full backup and the set of incremental backups. The computer-implemented method may moreover include generating a sorted catalog for the synthetic backup by indexing files for the synthetic backup in an order based on at least one characteristic of the files. The computer-implemented method may also include creating the synthetic backup of the indexed files in the sorted catalog by reading the indexed files in an order based on locations of the indexed files on the set of storage devices. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.