Virtual Container Backup via Deduplication and Snapshot Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current data protection methods that combine deduplication and virtualization often result in diminishing returns of investment due to ad hoc implementations, lacking an efficient and integrated approach for IT managers seeking comprehensive data protection solutions.
Innovation Solution
A method that integrates native snapshot technology with deduplication and virtualization, utilizing a deduplicated virtual storage device to create and manage virtual containers, such as vmdk files, which reduces storage and network bandwidth consumption by identifying and transferring only unique blocks, and allows for efficient backup and recovery processes through the use of virtual appliances and disk-based storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple data protection technologies (deduplication and virtualization) are implemented individually, then each technology provides benefit, but when combined in ad hoc manner the investment returns diminish
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines deduplication and virtualization technologies into a unified backup system where virtualization creates virtual containers from source data, and deduplication operates on these virtual containers to identify and eliminate redundant blocks. This integrated approach allows both technologies to work synergistically rather than as separate ad hoc implementations, resolving the contradiction by merging previously separate functions into a cohesive system that achieves both data protection and efficient resource utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup system performs multiple functions through a single integrated platform: it virtualizes source data into container formats, deduplicates blocks within and across containers, manages backup storage, and enables recovery operations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate systems for each data protection technology, improving investment returns while maintaining comprehensive data protection capabilities.
2Loss of energy
If traditional backup methods are used without deduplication, then storage and network bandwidth are consumed by all data blocks, but implementing deduplication requires identifying and processing unique blocks only
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential unique blocks from source data after virtualization, storing references rather than duplicating redundant blocks. By taking out only the necessary unique data portions and eliminating redundant copies through deduplication, the system reduces network bandwidth consumption during backup operations while maintaining the ability to reconstruct complete data sets when needed.
3Reliability
If snapshots are stored remotely without virtualization, then data protection is achieved but management of IT resources becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates virtual copies (virtual containers) of source data that can be managed independently from physical storage resources. These virtual containers serve as manageable representations of backed-up data, allowing IT administrators to manage data protection resources through virtualized abstractions rather than dealing with complex physical storage configurations. The virtual containers can be created, moved, and managed without directly manipulating underlying physical storage resources.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for protecting data. In some embodiments, this includes taking a snapshot of a physical volume with a native snapshot program, determining which blocks have changed since a previous snapshot with a change block tracker, creating a child virtual container, populating the child virtual container with the changed blocks, and linking the child virtual container with a parent virtual container.