Concurrent Version Set Backup and Restore for Storage Arrays

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing cost of managing backup copies exceeds the cost of creating and storing them, making it inefficient to manage snapshot copies effectively, especially in identifying relevant information for data corruption recovery.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system for concurrent backup and restore of multiple snapshot copies of storage objects, using a version set backup facility that abstracts logical data structures, allowing for efficient backup and restoration independent of the snapshot creation mechanism, and utilizing tape storage for efficient data retrieval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple snapshot copies are backed up sequentially, then each snapshot can be backed up individually, but the management cost increases and restore time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata recovery capabilityVSAvoidrestore time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple snapshot copies into a single backup operation by creating a backup set that contains references to multiple snapshots. This allows the backup system to manage multiple versions simultaneously and restore them concurrently, reducing total restore time while maintaining data recovery capability for corrupted snapshots.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary organization of snapshot copies into a structured backup set with metadata and cross-references before actual backup. This preliminary action enables the system to quickly identify and restore specific snapshots without sequentially processing each one, reducing restore time while ensuring reliability through pre-validated snapshot relationships.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If all snapshot copies are backed up to ensure recovery capability, then data recovery reliability improves, but management complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata recovery capabilityVSAvoidbackup management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the backup system into distinct components: snapshot creation modules, backup set management modules, and restore modules. Each component handles specific tasks independently, reducing overall management complexity while ensuring comprehensive backup coverage for data recovery reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a backup set as an intermediary structure that manages multiple snapshot copies. This backup set contains metadata, version information, and cross-references that simplify the management of multiple snapshots while ensuring that recovery capability is maintained through structured organization and automated tracking of snapshot relationships.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If snapshot copies are managed at application level, then data consistency is maintained, but backup efficiency decreases and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata consistencyVSAvoidbackup efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copy-on-write technology to create snapshot copies that share common data blocks with the original data. This allows multiple snapshots to be created efficiently without duplicating entire datasets, improving backup efficiency while maintaining data consistency through shared underlying storage structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal backup system that can handle multiple snapshot copies from different applications and storage locations simultaneously. The backup set structure is application-agnostic, allowing the same backup infrastructure to manage diverse data sources while maintaining consistency through standardized metadata and version control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8099572B1Efficient backup and restore of storage objects in a version set

Publication Date: 2012.01.17 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

The version set backup and restore facility responds to a version set backup request by backing up multiple snapshot copies of a storage object concurrently from a storage array to backup storage media. The version set backup and restore facility responds to a version set restore request by restoring a plurality of snapshot copies of the storage object concurrently from the backup storage media to the storage array. The on-tape backup image of the version set includes variable-length extents of data for each of the multiple snapshot copies of the storage object. The variable-length extents of data for each of the snapshot copies of the storage object are grouped together and ordered in the on-tape backup image by increasing or decreasing logical block address.