Unified Data Backup Configuration for Compliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional data protection products require users to configure both backup policies and backup requirements separately, leading to complexity and potential mismatches, resulting in ineffective data protection and poor user experience due to users' difficulty in understanding compliance and the relationship between backup operations and Service Level Agreements.

Innovation Solution

A compliance-driven data protection lifecycle method where users specify backup requirements, and the system automatically determines and optimizes the backup policy, simplifying the configuration process and ensuring data meets the specified requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users configure both backup policies and backup requirements separately, then data protection compliance can be verified, but the configuration process becomes too complicated and users may configure mismatched settings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata protection complianceVSAvoidconfiguration process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges backup policies and backup requirements into a unified configuration interface. Users configure both elements simultaneously through a single workflow, eliminating the need to separately manage and match multiple configuration sets. This integration ensures that backup policies are automatically aligned with compliance requirements while simplifying the overall configuration process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that automatically translates compliance requirements into corresponding backup policy settings. This intermediary layer processes user-defined compliance needs and generates appropriate backup configurations, bridging the gap between regulatory requirements and technical implementation without requiring users to manually configure both aspects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If users configure backup policies and requirements separately, then compliance verification is possible, but ordinary users have difficulty understanding backup requirements concepts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompliance verificationVSAvoiduser understanding
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses analogy and metaphor to explain complex backup requirements concepts to users. Instead of presenting technical jargon directly, the system creates simplified representations and comparisons that make compliance concepts more accessible and easier to understand for ordinary users while maintaining the integrity of compliance verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary translation layer that converts complex compliance requirements into user-friendly language and concepts. This intermediary mechanism explains what backup requirements mean in practical terms, helping users understand the purpose and implications of each setting without requiring deep technical knowledge of backup systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If users manually configure backup policies and requirements, then flexibility is provided, but mismatched configurations result in ineffective data protection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoiddata protection effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors the alignment between backup policies and compliance requirements. The system automatically detects mismatches and provides real-time feedback to users, suggesting corrective actions. This feedback loop ensures that configurations remain effective and compliant without requiring users to manually verify the relationship between policy and requirement settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs an intermediary validation mechanism that automatically checks whether backup policies correctly implement compliance requirements. This intermediary layer acts as a safety net, preventing mismatched configurations from being applied and ensuring that data protection effectiveness is maintained while preserving user configuration flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11321182B2Data backup method, a data backup device, and a computer program product
Publication Date: 2022.05.03 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC
  • US11321182B2 patent drawing
  • US11321182B2 patent drawing
  • US11321182B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a data backup method, a data backup device, and a computer program product. The method comprises: receiving a request for backing up stored data; determining a backup requirement based on the request, the backup requirement comprising a requirement with respect to processing backup data of the stored data in a backup system; and determining a backup operation for processing the backup data based on the backup requirement.