Time-Indexed Backup Directory for Intuitive File Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data backup systems are difficult to navigate and lack intuitive interfaces for restoring files, making it challenging for users to retrieve specific data from past backups without manual instructions or technical expertise.
Innovation Solution
The Continuum Navigator system uses a directory structure to store backups, allowing users to search and restore files through a graphical user interface that presents past-time filesystem images as if they were current, enabling intuitive navigation and retrieval using standard Linux commands and a time dial for easy access to past data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional backup systems store backups in non-intuitive formats, then data can be preserved, but users cannot easily navigate and restore files without manual instructions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to the file system by creating time-indexed directory structures. Each backup point becomes a navigable directory layer, allowing users to traverse through time dimensions alongside spatial directory structures. This enables intuitive navigation through backup history using standard filesystem commands without requiring specialized restoration procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates copy-on-write snapshots of the filesystem at backup points, presenting these snapshots as if they were the current live filesystem. Users interact with these copied snapshots through standard filesystem interfaces, making restoration intuitive while preserving the original data integrity.
2Ease of operation
If backup systems maintain detailed directory structures for all backup points in time, then data recovery becomes intuitive, but system complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the backup system into distinct layers: time-indexed directory structures that provide the intuitive interface, and underlying snapshot storage that maintains actual backup data. This segmentation allows the complex snapshot management to be hidden behind a simple time-based directory interface, reducing perceived system complexity for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The time-indexed directory structure serves as an intermediary layer between the user and the complex backup storage system. This intermediary presents a simplified, intuitive interface while managing the complexity of navigating multiple backup points in time through standard filesystem operations.
3Ease of operation
If the system presents past-time filesystem images as current filesystems, then users can navigate backups intuitively, but storage requirements increase to handle trillions of object pointers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple snapshot directory structures into a unified time-indexed namespace. Instead of storing separate, redundant directory structures for each backup point, the system combines them into a single coherent filesystem view where time traversal is achieved through directory navigation, significantly reducing storage requirements for metadata and pointers.
Solution Approach 2:
The time-indexed directory structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides intuitive navigation, maintains data integrity, enables recovery operations, and manages storage efficiently. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized structures that would increase storage requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Time based protection of data stored in a source volume of a computer system uses a directory structure to store backups from a storage system. A first backup from a storage system is received. The first backup contains an image of the source volume for a first time. A first time stamp representing the first time is associated with the first backup. The first backup is stored as a first directory indexed by the first time stamp in a top backup directory. A second backup is received from the storage system. The second backup contains an image of the source volume for a second time. A second time stamp representing the second time is associated with the second backup. The second backup is stored as a second directory indexed by the second time stamp in the top backup directory. The first and second directories are linked to a section of the top backup directory at a root of the top directory.