Unified Namespace for Virtual Machine Backup Disk Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in efficiently recovering specific files or file states from virtual machine backups due to the lack of visibility into backup schedules and changes, leading to time-consuming processes of mounting and unmounting multiple backup disks to find the desired data.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows for dynamic backup of virtual machine snapshots, deduplicates data, and reconstructs modified representations to reduce bandwidth and storage needs, enabling efficient file-level recovery by mounting multiple backup disks onto a target VM for streamlined access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users mount and search multiple backup disks separately to find desired files, then file recovery capability is achieved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple backup disks into a single unified namespace, allowing users to access files from multiple backup sessions through a single mount operation. Instead of mounting each backup disk separately and searching through them individually, the system combines them into one accessible structure where files can be searched and recovered efficiently across all backups simultaneously.
2Reliability
If users mount and search multiple backup disks separately to find desired files, then file recovery capability is achieved, but operational burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple backup disks into a single unified namespace, allowing users to access files from multiple backup sessions through a single mount operation. Instead of mounting each backup disk separately and searching through them individually, the system combines them into one accessible structure where files can be searched and recovered efficiently across all backups simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If backup disks are saved in scheduled or unscheduled manner, then backup flexibility is improved, but user awareness and tracking of backup changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism that provides users with visibility into backup operations and the state of backup disks. The system tracks and communicates backup schedules, completion status, and available restore points to users, enabling them to understand what backups exist and when they were created without needing to manually track each backup event.
4Reliability
If full VM recovery is performed, then VM restoration capability is achieved, but productivity is reduced due to inability to perform selective file recovery efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables segmentation of recovery operations, allowing users to recover individual files or specific file states from backup disks without requiring full VM restoration. The unified namespace provides file-level access controls and selective recovery capabilities, so users can extract only the specific files or folders they need from any backup session, significantly improving productivity compared to full VM recovery.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for providing multiple restore points on a virtual machine includes maintaining a record of a plurality of restore points of virtual machines. Upon receiving a request from a user to access a plurality of restore points of a virtual machine, the system can mount a plurality of backup disks onto a target virtual machine and then notify the user.