Unified Backup Management System for Heterogeneous Data Sources
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional backup systems face challenges in accessing and managing data stored in different formats across heterogeneous data sources in a distributed computing environment, requiring conversion to a single backup format for unified management.
Innovation Solution
A unified information management system with a single interface that integrates multiple backup devices, allowing data to be accessed and managed in its native format, using data connectors to normalize metadata and provide a unified view for users, while enabling data processing and retrieval operations across various storage tiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If data from heterogeneous backup sources is converted to a single backup format for unified management, then data accessibility and management consistency are improved, but data conversion complexity and potential data loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a common application as an intermediary layer between heterogeneous backup sources and the unified management system. This mediator reads data from various native formats (NetBackup, Commvault, Veritas) and presents it through a standardized interface, eliminating the need for direct conversion between different backup formats while maintaining management consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The common application serves multiple functions: it acts as a universal reader for different backup formats, provides a standardized data presentation layer, and enables unified management operations. This multi-functional approach allows the system to handle heterogeneous data sources without requiring format conversion or multiple specialized applications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple data management products are used to handle different backup formats, then format-specific functionality is maintained, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single common application that performs multiple functions previously requiring separate products. This universal application can read and manage data from various backup formats (NetBackup, Commvault, Veritas, etc.) through a unified interface, eliminating the need for multiple format-specific management products while preserving format-specific functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple data management products into a single unified application. By combining format-specific reading capabilities, data presentation, and management operations into one common application, the system reduces the number of products needed while maintaining adaptability to different backup formats.
3Adaptability or versatility
If data is stored in native backup formats across distributed systems, then storage efficiency and vendor flexibility are maintained, but data accessibility across heterogeneous sources becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The common application serves as an intermediary that reads data in its native format from various backup sources while presenting it through a standardized interface. This allows the system to maintain vendor flexibility and native format storage efficiency while achieving easy data accessibility across heterogeneous distributed sources through the unified presentation layer.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods integrate disparate backup devices with a unified interface. In certain examples, a management console manages data from various backup devices, while retaining such data in its native format. The management console can display a hierarchical view of the client devices and/or their data and can further provide utilities for processing the various data formats. A data structure including fields for storing both metadata common to the client device data and value-added metadata can be used to mine or process the data of the disparate client devices. The unified single platform and interface reduces the need for multiple data management products and/or customized data utilities for each individual client device and provides a single pane of glass view into data management operations. Integrating the various types of storage formats and media allows a user to retain existing storage infrastructures and further facilitates scaling to meet long-term management needs.