Temporal Query Service in Secondary Storage Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data protection systems face inefficiencies in querying and analyzing data across multiple points in time, particularly in secondary storage systems, which hinders effective data recovery and management.

Innovation Solution

A storage system with a processor and a storage array that includes a container capable of running a temporal query service, allowing for efficient querying and analysis by parsing temporal queries and returning results based on compatible temporal structures within the data storage entity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data replication and journaling are used for continuous data protection, then data recovery capability is improved, but query efficiency and data analysis performance across multiple points in time deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata recovery capabilityVSAvoidquery efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the storage system into multiple time-based containers, where each container holds data from a specific time period. This segmentation allows queries to be directed to specific containers based on temporal parameters, avoiding the need to scan entire backup systems and improving query efficiency while maintaining data recovery capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a temporal dimension to the storage architecture by organizing data into time-based containers with associated metadata. This dimensional organization enables efficient temporal queries without compromising the reliability of data recovery, as the temporal structure allows direct access to specific time points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If traditional backup systems store data across multiple locations, then data protection is improved, but the complexity of querying and analyzing data across these locations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata protectionVSAvoidquery system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal temporal query service that can operate across distributed storage locations through a standardized interface. The temporal container structure provides a multi-functional framework that handles both data protection and temporal querying uniformly, reducing the complexity of implementing location-aware queries across distributed systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If extensive data mounting and restoring processes are used for analysis, then complete data access is improved, but the time required for data analysis increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata access completenessVSAvoiddata analysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary organization of data into time-based containers with embedded metadata during the backup process. This preliminary structuring eliminates the need for extensive mounting and restoring operations during analysis, as queries can directly access the temporally-organized data structures and retrieve only the required time-specific information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10423634B1Temporal queries on secondary storage
Publication Date: 2019.09.24 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC
  • US10423634B1 patent drawing
  • US10423634B1 patent drawing
  • US10423634B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A storage system is provided, comprising a processor and a storage array comprising a data storage entity storing computer-accessible data and a container executing within the storage array. The container is configured to run a temporal query service configured to query the data storage entity in the storage array from within the storage array, wherein a structure of a temporal query generated in accordance with the temporal query service comprises a query format configured to be compatible with a temporal structure of the data storage entity. The temporal query service is configured to parse at least a first temporal query received from a requesting entity to determine a set of temporal query parameters relating to data stored on the data storage entity, query the data storage entity with a second temporal query formed in accordance with the set of query parameters, and return temporal query results.