Virtual Drive Controller Metadata Utilization for Backup Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Backup software programs cannot distinguish between virtualized file systems created by RAID and regular file systems, leading to inefficient backup processing as they are forced to treat RAID file systems similarly to regular systems, failing to utilize metadata for enhanced backup efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A file management system that includes a virtual drive controller, metadatabase, backup controller, and backup status management database, allowing the backup processor to utilize metadata from virtual file systems for efficient backup operations, and incorporating features like real-time incremental backup management and load-based backup scheduling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If backup software treats RAID file systems the same way as regular file systems, then it can operate without special knowledge of virtualization, but backup efficiency deteriorates because metadata cannot be utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a file system adapter as an intermediary component between the backup software and the virtualized file system. This adapter translates backup requests into operations that can utilize metadata stored in the virtual file system, enabling efficient backup without requiring the backup software to understand virtualization details directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the backup software, the file system adapter, and the virtual file system. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently with well-defined interfaces, enabling the adapter to handle metadata utilization while the backup software maintains general compatibility.
2Reliability
If incremental backup is performed during off-peak hours, then system load is reduced, but backup time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms that monitor system load conditions and backup progress. Based on this feedback, the backup process dynamically adjusts its behavior - performing incremental backups during low-load periods and utilizing metadata to accelerate backups during high-load periods, optimizing both timing and execution speed.
Solution Approach 2:
Metadata about file changes is maintained continuously in the virtual file system before backup operations are initiated. This preliminary maintenance of metadata allows the backup process to quickly identify changed files without scanning entire file systems, reducing the actual backup execution time regardless of when it occurs.
3Productivity
If metadata is maintained in the virtual file system, then backup efficiency improves through selective copying, but device complexity increases due to additional data structures
Solution Approach 1:
The metadata structures in the virtual file system serve multiple functions: they enable efficient backup operations by identifying changed files, support file system management operations, and provide information for recovery processes. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing broad operational benefits beyond just backup efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
[Problem] To provide a file management system and file management method that are able to perform a backup process efficiently by means of a configuration that uses a virtual file system metadatabase from a backup process side also. [Solution] The file management system is provided with a virtual drive controller (110) that controls a virtual drive (5), a metadatabase (210) that contains information for associating a virtual file and a physical file that is saved in a storage device (6), a backup controller (120) that manages the backup process of a file, and a backup status management database (220) used in backup process management. The virtual drive controller (110) registers updated file information in the backup status management database (220). The backup controller (120) references the backup status management database (220) and the metadatabase (210), and backs up the file.