Twin File Restore Agent for Uninterrupted Data Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Backup and restore operations in data storage systems often abort unexpectedly, leading to partial data writes and increased restore windows, requiring restarts from the beginning and resulting in unusable data and potential corruption.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the creation of twin files for each file object during restore operations, allowing for identification and preservation of the state in case of an abort, enabling uninterrupted resumption from the point of interruption in subsequent sessions using a hybrid buffer and restore agent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If restore operation is restarted from the beginning after an abort, then data integrity is ensured, but restore time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates twin files as a preliminary action during the restore operation before any abort can occur. These twin files serve as pre-prepared recovery points that allow the system to resume from the exact point of interruption rather than restarting from the beginning, thus maintaining data integrity while significantly reducing restore time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy (twin file) of the file object being restored. This copy contains the state of the file at the point of interruption and can be used to resume the restore operation without reprocessing the entire file, thereby resolving the contradiction between ensuring data integrity and minimizing restore time.
2Loss of time
If restore operation continues after partial data write, then restore time is reduced, but data corruption risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The twin file is created as a preliminary safety mechanism before the restore operation completes. In the event of an abort, the system can detect the abort condition and use the pre-created twin file to resume from the interruption point, avoiding both the need to restart from the beginning and the risk of using corrupted partial data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares the twin file in advance as a cushioning measure against potential aborts. This pre-prepared backup state protects the system from the harmful effect of data corruption by providing a known good state to resume from, thus allowing continuous operation without compromising data integrity.
3Loss of time
If twin file is created for each file object, then uninterrupted restore is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying to create twin files, which is a relatively simple operation compared to other backup mechanisms. The twin file is essentially a copy of the file object with an additional header, making the implementation straightforward while effectively enabling uninterrupted restore operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent processes file objects individually and creates twin files on a per-file basis. This segmentation approach allows the system to manage complexity at a granular level, where each file is handled independently with its own twin file, rather than managing the entire restore operation as a single complex unit.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for restoring data to a host device are described. According to some embodiments, a hybrid buffer may be used to generate a twin file of each file object to be restored and append the twin file to the corresponding file object. Each file object and its corresponding twin file may be transmitted to a construction container via a restore agent. In the event of an unexpected abort during the first restoration session, the restore agent may preserve the twin file of a file object currently being restored (if one has been created at the time of the abort) and instruct the hybrid buffer to terminate operation. During a subsequent restore session, the restore agent may poll for the preserved twin file and commence the data restore operation from the file object currently being restored using the twin file.