Virtual Machine Disk Backup Synthesis via Continuous Replication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data protection systems require system shutdown during backups, limit recovery points in time, and have lengthy data recovery processes, making them inefficient for disaster recovery and data access.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a continuous data replication system with deduplicated storage that uses journaling to maintain snapshots and journals, allowing for point-in-time recovery and efficient data protection by streaming IOs and synthesizing backup snapshots from multiple sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional backup systems are used, then data protection is provided, but system shutdown is required during backup operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous data replication where backup operations occur continuously without interrupting production workloads. The system maintains continuous synchronization between production and backup storage systems, allowing data protection while keeping the system operational and accessible throughout the backup process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the backup system into separate components: production storage system, backup storage system, and replication management system. This segmentation allows backup operations to proceed independently without affecting production system availability, resolving the contradiction between data protection and system availability.
2Quantity of substance
If periodic backup is used, then storage space is conserved, but recovery points in time are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs continuous data replication rather than periodic backups, creating multiple recovery points continuously over time. This allows recovery to any point in time within the retention period while maintaining efficient storage utilization through deduplication and incremental replication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal parameter from periodic discrete backups to continuous incremental replication. This enables flexible recovery point selection while optimizing storage consumption through deduplication techniques that eliminate redundant data across continuous backup streams.
3Reliability
If full data replication is performed, then complete data protection is achieved, but storage consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements deduplication that identifies and eliminates redundant data blocks across backup streams. By discarding duplicate data and keeping only unique portions, the system achieves complete data protection while significantly reducing storage consumption through efficient data deduplication and incremental updates.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of copying entire datasets repeatedly, the system copies only changed data blocks (incremental replication) and uses deduplication to eliminate redundant copies. This selective copying approach maintains complete data protection capability while optimizing storage utilization by storing only necessary unique data.
4Reliability
If traditional backup methods are used, then data is protected, but recovery time is lengthy
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary continuous replication so that backup data is already prepared and synchronized before recovery is needed. This preliminary action ensures that recovery can be executed immediately by simply restoring from the already-prepared backup system, dramatically reducing recovery time while maintaining complete data protection.
Solution Approach 2:
By maintaining continuous replication and synchronization between production and backup systems, the patent ensures that backup data is always up-to-date and ready for immediate recovery. This continuous preparation eliminates the need for lengthy backup and recovery operations, achieving both data protection and rapid recovery.
Data Source
AI summary
The system, process, and methods herein describe a mechanism for extracting virtual machine disk backups from LUN backups. The virtual machine disk backups may be stored in a deduplicated storage system. Thick virtual machine disks may be converted to thin virtual machine disks.