Virtual Machine Block Backup File Retrieval via History Tables
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Restoring individual filesystem objects from block level backups of virtual machines is time and resource intensive due to the need to mount and search through multiple backups, as existing backup systems lack efficient tracking and retrieval mechanisms for filesystem object changes.
Innovation Solution
A method that generates a local history table of filesystem objects with changes since the last backup, which is merged with a global history table on a backup server, allowing users to identify and retrieve specific filesystem objects without mounting backups, by tracking filesystem object creation and modification operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If block level backups are used for virtual machines, then backup storage efficiency is improved, but restoration time and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a file system information table as an intermediary data structure that maps file system objects to their corresponding block locations in block level backups. This table enables direct file-level access without requiring mounting and searching through backup images, thus resolving the contradiction by maintaining storage efficiency while dramatically reducing restoration time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining a file system information table that pre-maps file system objects to block locations before restoration is needed. This advance preparation allows for immediate file retrieval without time-consuming search operations, addressing the restoration time issue while preserving block level backup efficiency.
2Volume of stationary object
If block level backups are used for virtual machines, then backup compactness is improved, but ease of operation for file retrieval deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The file system information table serves as a mediator between the compact block level backup format and user file retrieval operations. It provides a convenient interface for file-level access while maintaining the space efficiency of block level backups, thus improving ease of operation without sacrificing backup compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the backup system into two distinct components: compact block level backups for storage efficiency, and a separate file system information table for ease of file retrieval. This segmentation allows each component to optimize for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between compactness and operational ease.
3Productivity
If filesystem object tracking is implemented, then restoration efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The file system information table acts as a simple intermediary structure that tracks file system objects and their block locations. By using this straightforward mapping mechanism rather than complex tracking systems, the patent improves restoration efficiency while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a simplified copy of file system metadata in the form of a mapping table that contains only the essential information needed for restoration (file names and block locations). This selective copying approach improves restoration efficiency without replicating the full complexity of the original file system structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for backing a computing system includes generating a local history table of filesystem objects that have changed since storing a first backup of the computing system where the local history table includes attributes of the filesystem objects and a set of operations associated with changes to the filesystem objects. The method further includes transferring, from the computing system to a backup server, a second backup of the computing system, where the second backup includes a block level representation of a portion of a data storage medium associated with the computing system. The method additionally includes merging the local history table with a global history table stored on the backup server, the global history table mapping a history of filesystem objects to a set of block level backups of the computing system including the first backup of the computing system and the second backup of the computing system.