VPC Configuration Backup for Multi-Account Disaster Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies lack efficient methods for protecting and managing virtual private cloud (VPC) configurations, including network and security settings, which are critical for disaster recovery and migration, due to the complexity and heterogeneity of VPC environments.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for collecting and storing VPC configuration data, such as resource configurations, subnets, and security groups, using APIs, and backing them up with computing resources to ensure point-in-time protection and management across accounts and regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If VPC configurations are backed up using existing technologies, then data protection is provided, but the complexity and heterogeneity of VPC environments make protection inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the VPC configuration environment by capturing configuration data from multiple sources (VPC metadata, security group rules, subnet configurations, route tables, network ACLs, gateway configurations, VPN connections, peering connections, and transit gateway attachments) and storing it as structured JSON data. This copying approach enables efficient protection and recovery without dealing with the complexity of the actual VPC environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal backup solution that handles multiple types of VPC configurations (VPCs, security groups, subnets, route tables, network ACLs, gateways, VPN connections, peering connections, and transit gateway attachments) through a single backup process. This multi-functional approach addresses the heterogeneity issue by providing a unified method to protect diverse VPC configuration elements.
2Reliability
If comprehensive VPC configuration data is collected and stored, then point-in-time protection is achieved, but data management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments VPC configuration data into distinct categories (VPC metadata, security group rules, subnet configurations, route tables, network ACLs, gateway configurations, VPN connections, peering connections, and transit gateway attachments) and collects each segment separately using targeted API calls. This segmentation makes the complex data manageable by organizing it into structured, categorized JSON objects that can be independently processed and recovered.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses AWS SDKs and APIs as intermediaries to collect configuration data from various VPC components without requiring direct access to or manipulation of the actual VPC environment. This intermediary approach simplifies data management by providing a standardized interface for capturing configuration data from heterogeneous sources and converting it into a uniform structured format.
3Reliability
If VPC configurations are protected across multiple accounts and regions, then comprehensive disaster recovery is enabled, but the scope of protection increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protection of VPC configurations across multiple AWS accounts and regions into a single unified backup process. By using AWS SDKs to iterate through accounts and regions, the system collects configuration data from all specified accounts and regions, combines them into a single backup set, and stores it together. This merging approach enables comprehensive disaster recovery without requiring separate backup processes for each account or region.
Data Source
AI summary
The methods and systems described herein provide a solution for protecting configuration data associated with a virtual private cloud. Network configurations, accounts, and/or security data may be collected from the host of the virtual private network using APIs provided by the host. The point-in-time configuration information of a VPC can be used in disaster recovery, migration to a new VPC host, or manage VPC configurations across accounts and regions. During a backup operation of a computing resource within a VPC, one or more processes requests security, network, and/or gateway configuration information from the VPC host. This information may be collected and requested for the entire VPC topology. The VPC configuration information, in the format/output received from the VPC host, is then backed up and stored with the backup of that computing resource in secondary storage.