Unified Storage Instance Consolidation for Cloud Data Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data protection systems in cloud networks face inefficiencies due to the presence of partially full or empty metadata and content data storage instances, leading to wasted resources and increased costs, as well as compromised performance from resource-intensive tasks like garbage collection.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a data storage instance orchestration process that powers down fully utilized instances when not needed, deletes empty instances, and moves data from partially full instances to more full ones to consolidate storage and reduce operational costs, while optimizing power usage and resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple storage instances (AVE and DDVE) are created to provide adequate scaling capacity, then data protection capability is improved, but computing resource consumption increases and cost efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple storage instances (metadata and content data) into a single unified instance, eliminating the need for separate AVE and DDVE instances. This consolidation maintains full data protection capability while reducing computing resource consumption and improving cost efficiency by eliminating redundant instance overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified storage instance performs multiple functions that were previously distributed across separate instances: it stores both metadata and content data, handles search operations, and manages data protection tasks. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for specialized separate instances while maintaining adaptability.
2Reliability
If multiple storage instances are maintained to ensure data availability, then data access reliability is improved, but resource waste increases due to partially full or empty instances
Solution Approach 1:
By combining metadata and content data into a single storage instance, the patent eliminates the resource waste associated with multiple partially-filled instances. The unified instance fully utilizes available storage capacity while maintaining data availability and access reliability through internal organization rather than instance replication.
3Adaptability or versatility
If non-full storage instances are maintained for flexibility, then system adaptability is improved, but garbage collection performance deteriorates due to fragmented resources
Solution Approach 1:
The unified storage instance consolidates all data into a single managed space, eliminating the fragmentation that plagues multiple non-full instances. This enables efficient garbage collection operations by providing continuous addressable space, improving productivity while maintaining system flexibility through unified resource management.
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate metadata and content data storage instances are used, then data organization flexibility is improved, but operational complexity increases due to orchestration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges metadata and content data storage into a single instance, eliminating the complex orchestration required to coordinate operations across multiple instances. The unified instance maintains data organization flexibility through internal structure while removing the layer of complexity associated with inter-instance communication and coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments for optimizing data storage instances in a cloud environment in which metadata is stored and accessed separately from content data in multiple different instances of data storage units. A metadata and content data storage instance optimization process determines the status of different instances of virtual storage resources for both metadata and content data. Full instances are powered down when they are not needed, empty instances are deleted, and data of partially full instances is moved to other appropriate instances to create empty instances that can be deleted. The data storage instance optimization process is provided as part of a data protection search process that provides an execution environment and user interface to the optimization process.