How to Keep Backup Data in the Correct Order

A method for ensuring that backup data arrives at a secondary storage location in the exact same sequence it was created at the primary location to prevent data corruption.

What it covers

This patent describes a system for synchronizing data between a primary computer and a backup (secondary) computer. It uses a specific architecture where a primary node maintains three distinct areas: the main data storage, a primary log storage area (SRL) for tracking updates, and a separate backup storage area that keeps a redundant copy of those logs. When updates happen, the system ensures they are written to both the log and the backup storage at the primary site before being sent to the secondary site. By maintaining this strict sequence, the secondary node can apply the updates in the exact same order they occurred, ensuring the backup remains a perfect, consistent mirror of the primary data.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover systems that replicate data without maintaining a strict chronological sequence of updates.
• —Does not cover backup methods that do not utilize a dedicated log storage area (SRL) at the primary node.
• —Does not cover data synchronization that occurs without the use of a secondary replication storage group (RSG).

The clever bit

The innovation lies in the concurrent writing of updates to both a primary log and a secondary backup storage area at the source, which acts as a safety buffer to ensure the sequence remains intact during transmission.

Why it matters

In enterprise data management, if a backup is applied out of order, the database can become corrupted and unusable. This patent provides a technical framework for Veritas, a major player in data protection, to guarantee that disaster recovery systems stay perfectly synced with production environments, which is critical for banking and healthcare systems.

Real-world examples

• 1.Veritas InfoScale
• 2.Enterprise disaster recovery replication software
• 3.Database mirroring for high-availability systems