Workload Manager for Distributed Application Backup and Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data backup methods are inadequate for distributed applications, particularly those using virtual machines and cloud-based deployments, as they fail to provide comprehensive protection and efficient recovery for complex, multi-component workloads.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a workload manager system that takes consistent backups of virtual machine images, network configurations, and storage volumes, allowing for point-in-time copies and instant restoration of entire workloads on a cloud platform using de-duplication enabled storage to streamline backup and recovery processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional storage-based backup methods are used for distributed applications, then individual storage devices can be backed up, but the entire application workload cannot be consistently protected
Solution Approach 1:
The backup system segments the distributed application workload into individual virtual machine components, allowing each VM to be backed up separately while maintaining overall workload consistency through coordinated backup operations across all VMs and their associated storage devices
Solution Approach 2:
The backup system creates a universal backup solution that handles multiple types of resources (virtual machines, storage devices, network configurations) through a single integrated backup operation, providing comprehensive application-level protection rather than isolated storage-level protection
2Productivity
If virtual machine snapshots are used for backup, then backup speed is improved, but storage space efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the changed blocks from virtual machine snapshots rather than storing complete snapshot copies, separating the rapid snapshot capture function from the storage function and keeping only the differential data for backup storage
Solution Approach 2:
The backup system changes the storage parameter from storing complete VM images to storing only incremental changes, achieving both fast backup speeds through snapshot technology and efficient storage space utilization through selective data capture
3Reliability
If complete VM images are stored for backup, then recovery completeness is improved, but storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by storing only the necessary portions of VM data (changed blocks) rather than complete images, achieving sufficient recovery completeness without the excessive storage requirements of full image backups
4Reliability
If distributed application workloads are backed up, then comprehensive protection is improved, but backup management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backup system introduces an intermediary management layer that coordinates backup operations across multiple virtual machines and storage devices, providing comprehensive application-level protection while abstracting the complexity from users through automated workload-level backup management
Data Source
AI summary
Featured are a method and apparatus for managing various point-in-time copies of workloads or applications using a software system called workload manager. An aspect of the invention is to receive backup images of point-in-time backup images of workload from a backup client and realize corresponding virtual resource from backup image on the cloud platform that is part of the workload manager appliance. Workload manager maintains catalog of point-in-time copies of workloads. Each item in the catalog refers resource entries on the cloud platform. When user wishes to instantiate a point-in-time copy, workload manager instantiates all the resources identified in the catalog entry. User can also restore a particular point-in-time workload to production system or migrate a particular point-in-time workload to remote application.