Virtual Backup Disk Image for Data Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small businesses face significant challenges in maintaining cost-effective data backup and recovery systems due to the high expenses of redundant hardware, software licenses, and staffing, leading to insufficient and unreliable backup methods that can result in data loss and business interruption.
Innovation Solution
A data recovery system that regularly updates a backup disk image of a primary computer system, storing it on a NAS or remote server, allowing for near-real-time data backup and recovery by sending incremental updates and using delta images to activate a virtual server in case of failure, thus reducing costs and ensuring business continuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fully functional redundant mirror backup system is implemented, then data recovery reliability is improved, but hardware cost and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the primary system's disk image and stores it on a remote server. This virtual backup copy can be restored to activate a virtual server, providing redundancy without requiring physical duplicate hardware. The copying principle allows reliable data recovery while significantly reducing hardware complexity and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of maintaining expensive physical redundant hardware, the system uses a cost-effective virtual backup model where a virtualized disk image is stored remotely. The backup infrastructure is simplified to essential components (remote server, virtualization software) while the primary system operates on standard hardware, reducing overall system complexity and cost.
2Duration of action of moving object
If redundant hardware and synchronized backup systems are deployed, then business interruption is reduced, but licensing costs and operational expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual backup system serves multiple functions: it provides disaster recovery, enables data retention policies, allows system migration, and supports testing environments. A single virtualized backup infrastructure replaces what would traditionally require multiple physical backup systems, each with its own licensing, reducing the total quantity of software licenses needed while maintaining business continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of the primary system that can be activated without requiring physical duplicate hardware or software licenses. The virtual server can be spun up from the backup disk image, providing continuous operation capability while using a single instance of operating system and application licenses.
3Device complexity
If tape backup or basic remote storage is used, then hardware cost is reduced, but backup reliability and data update frequency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous or near-continuous backup through remote server storage that accepts data streams and incremental updates. Unlike periodic tape backups, the virtual backup system maintains continuous synchronization of the disk image, ensuring the backup is always current and reliable while using cost-effective storage infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical tape backup systems with a virtualized software-based backup solution. Instead of physical tape drives and media handling, the system uses virtual disk imaging, network storage, and software-defined backup mechanisms, achieving higher reliability through software control and continuous updates while maintaining lower hardware costs.
4Productivity
If incremental data transfer is used, then data update frequency is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backup system segments data transfers into incremental updates rather than complete system copies. Only the changes since the last backup are transmitted to the remote server, significantly reducing network bandwidth consumption. The segmentation is achieved through differential backup mechanisms that identify and transfer only modified blocks or files.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic backup cycles that can be configured based on data change rates and recovery requirements. Incremental updates are performed at scheduled intervals or triggered by significant data changes, balancing the need for frequent updates with network bandwidth constraints through intelligent scheduling and prioritization.
Data Source
AI summary
A backup image generator can create a primary image and periodic delta images of all or part of a primary server. The images can be sent to a network attached storage device and one or more remote storage servers. In the event of a failure of the primary server, an updated primary image may be used to provide an up-to-date version of the primary system at a backup or other system. As a result, the primary data storage may be timely backed-up, recovered and restored with the possibility of providing server and business continuity in the event of a failure.