Virtual Content Repository for Enterprise Storage Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In enterprise environments, as the number of users and data storage needs grow, existing data storage systems face challenges in efficiently managing and outsourcing data storage resources, leading to potential resource bottlenecks and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A virtual content repository system that allows clients to store and manage files across multiple external content repositories, including public cloud storage, while maintaining metadata and access controls, enabling seamless file access and storage without requiring knowledge of the storage location, and allowing for secure encryption and distribution of files across different repositories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If enterprise storage systems allocate more resources to support growing users and data storage needs, then storage capacity and performance are improved, but infrastructure costs and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtualization layer that acts as an intermediary between the enterprise storage system and external cloud storage providers. This virtualization layer manages storage resources abstractedly, allowing the system to leverage external cloud infrastructure without directly managing the complexity of multiple physical storage systems. The virtualization layer handles resource allocation, data placement, and access management, thereby improving storage capacity while maintaining manageable system complexity.
2Device complexity
If enterprise storage systems outsource data storage to external providers, then infrastructure costs are reduced, but control over data storage and security may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The virtualization layer serves as a trusted intermediary that maintains enterprise control over outsourced storage. It manages encryption keys, access policies, and data lifecycle operations while leveraging external cloud infrastructure. This allows the enterprise to reduce infrastructure management complexity while maintaining security and control through the virtualization layer's management of data placement, access controls, and encryption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes storage parameters such as data placement location, replication factor, and access policies based on security requirements and performance needs. The virtualization layer can adjust these parameters to balance control and security with cost efficiency, allowing flexible management of outsourced storage resources while maintaining enterprise oversight.
3Ease of operation
If traditional data storage systems are used, then data access and management are straightforward, but resource bottlenecks and scalability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The virtualization layer provides a universal interface that maintains simple data access operations while enabling the system to leverage multiple storage backends including local and external cloud storage. This multi-functional approach allows the storage system to scale beyond traditional limitations while presenting a consistent, simple interface to users for data access and management operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various examples for facilitating access to files in a virtual content repository. In one example, a request to access a file is transmitted to a management service. The request includes a first authentication credential for a first user account associated with the management service. Storage plan data is received that identifies a content repository and a second authentication credential for a second user account associated with the content repository. The client device authenticates with the content repository using the storage plan data, and access to the file is provided.