JP2013033433A - Backup data generating device, online memory device, metadata management device, backup system, and backup method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve availability in a system for carrying out backup of data.SOLUTION: A backup data generating device 2 includes: a backup data generating portion 21 for generating data for restoring a state of the backup data generating device 2; a backup data transmitting portion 22 for transmitting the generated backup data to an online memory device; a metadata generating portion 23 for generating backup metadata including information about the generation and transmission of the backup data; a metadata transmitting portion 24 for transmitting the backup metadata to a metadata management device; a metadata display portion 25 for obtaining and indicating the backup metadata aggregated by the metadata management device; a backup data receiving portion 26 for receiving the backup data stored in the online memory device; and a restoration part 27 for restoring the state of the backup data generating device on the basis of the obtained backup data.

Description

  The present invention relates to a backup data generation device, an online storage device, a metadata management device, a backup system, and a backup method.

  Conventionally, to restore data in the event of a hardware failure, software system trouble, user error, hardware loss due to user error, etc., the storage device is duplicated or data is backed up regularly It has been done. However, in the case of a mobile terminal, if the terminal itself cannot be recovered due to loss or submergence of the mobile terminal, even if the storage device is duplicated in the terminal or the data is regularly backed up, Data cannot be recovered. Therefore, what backs up the data of a portable terminal to an external storage device via a network is known (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 below).

JP 2005-57477 A JP 2005-202918 A

  However, in such an external storage device, taking into account measures against natural disasters and man-made disasters, in order to ensure robust security physically and systematically, the management of facilities, servers, and software costs enormously, It is difficult to use at low cost. On the other hand, recently, low-cost online storage services such as those provided free of charge have been provided, but there has been a problem that the availability of the system is low.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and it is an object of the present invention to improve availability in a system that backs up data.

  A backup data generation device according to an aspect of the present invention is a backup data generation device capable of communicating with an online storage device that stores backup data and a metadata management device that manages backup metadata in a communication network, the backup data generation device Backup data generating means for generating backup data which is data necessary for restoring the state of the data generating apparatus, backup data transmitting means for transmitting the backup data generated by the backup data generating means to the online storage device, Metadata for generating backup metadata including information on generation of backup data by the backup data generation means and information on transmission of the backup data by the backup data transmission means Generation means, metadata transmission means for transmitting the backup metadata generated by the metadata generation means to the metadata management apparatus, and metadata for acquiring and displaying the backup metadata aggregated by the metadata management apparatus Display means, and restoration means for obtaining backup data stored in the online storage device and restoring the state of the backup data generation device.

  In the backup data generation device, the backup data generation means generates backup data that is necessary for restoring the state of the backup data generation device, and the backup data transmission means generates the backup data generated by the online storage device. Send to. Further, the metadata generation means generates backup metadata including information related to the generation of backup data and information related to the transmission of the backup data, and the backup metadata generated by the metadata transmission means is transferred to the metadata management apparatus. Send. Then, the metadata display means acquires and displays the backup metadata aggregated by the metadata management apparatus, and the restoration means acquires the backup data stored in the online storage device and the status of the backup data generation apparatus To restore.

  As described above, the backup data is independently managed by the online storage device and the backup metadata is independently managed by the metadata management device, so that the availability can be improved in the system that backs up the data. Also, for example, by distributing backup data to multiple online storage devices and distributing backup metadata to multiple metadata management devices, the risk of access failures and data loss due to hardware troubles can be distributed. Therefore, availability can be improved in a system that backs up data. In addition, because online storage devices can be selected according to the backup data, for example, multiple low-cost online storage devices can be used to reduce risk, or only important data can be purchased online at a high cost with a high security level. Data can be backed up flexibly according to the user's needs, such as saving to a storage device. In addition, for example, backup metadata is centrally managed by a metadata management device, and backup data is shared between backup data generation devices that require data restoration, thereby identifying backup data independent of the backup data generation device. And restore can be done.

  The metadata display means stores backup metadata aggregated by the metadata management device and backup data related to the backup metadata managed in association with the backup metadata by the metadata management device. Information regarding the status of the online storage device being used may be acquired and displayed. In such a case, the user can select the online storage device that stores the backup data for restoring the state of the backup data generation device based on the displayed information on the state of the online storage device. Convenience is improved.

  Also, information regarding the status of the online storage device includes the operating status of the online storage device, the remaining capacity of the backup data generation device that can store the backup data of the storage capacity of the online storage device, and the transmission of backup data by the backup data transmission means Including at least one of the estimated transmission completion time from the start to the completion of the backup and the number of backups in the online storage device by the backup data generation device, and the metadata display means stores the acquired backup metadata and online storage The backup metadata to be displayed and the information related to the status of the online storage device may be prioritized and displayed based on the information related to the status of the device. In this case, the user can select the online storage device that stores the backup data based on the information regarding the status of the online storage device that is displayed in the prioritized order, so that the convenience of the user is improved.

  Further, the backup data transmission means can simultaneously transmit the backup data generated by the backup data generation means to a plurality of online storage devices, and can transmit the reference data size among the plurality of online storage devices earliest. Alternatively, transmission to only the online storage device may be continued, and transmission to another online storage device may be canceled. In such a case, since the user can automatically select an online storage device that can transmit backup data earliest, the convenience for the user is improved.

  An online storage device according to an aspect of the present invention is an online storage device that can communicate with one or more backup data generation devices in a communication network, and stores backup data generated by the one or more backup data generation devices. A backup data receiving means for receiving, backup data received by the backup data receiving means, and a backup data managing means for collecting and managing in association with information for uniquely identifying the backup data; and one or a plurality of backup data Backup data return means for returning the backup data collectively managed by the backup data management means to the one or more backup data generation apparatuses in response to a request from the generation apparatus.

  In the above-mentioned online storage device, the backup data receiving means receives the backup data generated by one or a plurality of backup data generating apparatuses, and the backup data management means receives the backup data and information for uniquely identifying the backup data Are managed in association with each other. Then, in response to a request from one or a plurality of backup data generation apparatuses, the backup data return means returns the backup data managed in an aggregated manner to the one or a plurality of backup data generation apparatuses. As described above, since the backup data is independently managed by the online storage device, the availability can be improved in the system that backs up the data. In addition, for example, by distributing backup data to multiple online storage devices, it is possible to distribute risks such as access failures and data loss due to hardware troubles, and to improve availability in a system that backs up data. . In addition, because online storage devices can be selected according to the backup data, for example, multiple low-cost online storage devices can be used to reduce risk, or only important data can be purchased online at a high cost with a high security level. Data can be backed up flexibly according to the user's needs, such as saving to a storage device.

  A metadata management apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is a metadata management apparatus capable of communicating with one or a plurality of backup data generation apparatuses in a communication network, and the backup generated by the one or a plurality of backup data generation apparatuses Metadata receiving means for receiving metadata; backup metadata received by the metadata receiving means; and metadata managing means for collecting and managing the metadata uniquely identifying the backup metadata in association with each other; Or in response to a request from a plurality of backup data generation devices, metadata return means for returning backup metadata managed and aggregated by the metadata management means to the one or more backup data generation devices, and Backup metadata can be backed up by one or more Data necessary to assist in restoring the state of the one or more backup data generation devices generated by the backup data generation device and stored online for backup by the one or more backup data generation devices It is data including information related to generation and transmission information related to backup data transmitted to the apparatus.

  In the metadata management device, the metadata receiving means receives the backup metadata generated by one or a plurality of backup data generation devices, and the metadata management means uniquely identifies the received backup metadata and the backup metadata. The information to be identified is associated and managed in an aggregated manner. Then, in response to a request from one or a plurality of backup data generation devices, the metadata return unit returns the backup metadata collectively managed by the metadata management unit to the one or more backup data generation devices. Note that the backup metadata is data necessary to assist in restoring the state of the one or more backup data generation devices generated by the one or more backup data generation devices. This data includes information relating to generation of backup data and information relating to transmission transmitted to the online storage device for backup by the backup data generation device. As described above, since the backup metadata is independently managed by the metadata management apparatus, the availability can be improved in the system that backs up the data. In addition, for example, by distributing backup metadata to multiple metadata management devices, it is possible to distribute risks such as access failures and data loss due to hardware troubles and improve availability in systems that back up data. Can do. Furthermore, for example, backup metadata is centrally managed by a metadata management device, and backup data is shared between backup data generation devices that require data restoration, thereby identifying backup data independent of the backup data generation device And restore can be done.

  Further, the metadata management means further acquires information related to the state of the online storage device in which backup data relating to the backup metadata is stored at a certain period, and aggregates the acquired information in association with the backup metadata. The management and metadata return means further returns information related to the status of the online storage device managed in association with the backup metadata by the metadata management means to the one or more backup data generation devices. May be. In such a case, the user can select an online storage device that stores backup data for restoring the state of the backup data generation device based on the transmitted information on the state of the online storage device. Convenience is improved.

  In addition, the information regarding the status of the online storage device includes the operating status of the online storage device, the remaining capacity that can store the backup data of the backup data generation device out of the storage capacity of the online storage device, and from the backup data generation device to the online storage device One or more of the estimated transmission completion time from the start to the completion of the transmission of the backup data and the number of backups in the online storage device by the backup data generation device may be included. In such a case, the user can select an online storage device that stores the backup data based on the transmitted information on the state of the online storage device, so that convenience for the user is improved.

  A backup system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a backup data generation device, an online storage device that stores backup data, and a metadata management device that manages backup metadata that can communicate with each other in a communication network. The backup data generation device includes backup data generation means for generating backup data that is data necessary for restoring the state of the backup data generation device, and backup data generated by the backup data generation means. Backup data transmission means to be transmitted to the online storage device, information on generation of backup data by the backup data generation means, and transmission of the backup data by the backup data transmission means Metadata generation means for generating backup metadata including information on the metadata, metadata transmission means for transmitting the backup metadata generated by the metadata generation means to the metadata management apparatus, and the metadata management apparatus. Online storage comprising: metadata display means for acquiring and displaying backup metadata that is stored; and restoration means for acquiring backup data stored in the online storage device and restoring the state of the backup data generation device The apparatus associates backup data receiving means for receiving backup data generated by the backup data generating apparatus, backup data received by the backup data receiving means, and information for uniquely identifying the backup data. Backup data management means for consolidating and managing the backup data, and backup data replying means for returning the backup data aggregated and managed by the backup data management means to the backup data generation apparatus in response to a request from the backup data generation apparatus; The metadata management device includes a metadata receiving unit that receives the backup metadata generated by the backup data generation device, the backup metadata received by the metadata receiving unit, and the backup metadata uniquely Metadata management means for associating and managing identification information in association with each other, and backup metadata managed and managed by the metadata management means in response to a request from the backup data generation apparatus to the backup data generation apparatus And a metadata reply means for replying.

  In the backup system, in the backup data generation device, the backup data generation means generates backup data that is necessary for restoring the state of the backup data generation device, and the backup data transmission means generates the backup data generation means. The backup data thus transmitted is transmitted to the online storage device. Further, in the backup data generation device, the metadata generation means generates backup metadata including information relating to the generation of backup data and information relating to the transmission of the backup data, and the backup metadata generated by the metadata transmission means To the metadata management device. Further, in the backup data generation device, the metadata display means acquires and displays the backup metadata aggregated by the metadata management apparatus, and the restoration means acquires the backup data stored in the online storage device and Restore the state of the backup data generator. On the other hand, in the online storage device, the backup data receiving means receives the backup data generated by the backup data generating apparatus, and the backup data management means associates the received backup data with information for uniquely identifying the backup data Centralized and managed. Then, in the online storage device, the backup data return means returns the backup data collectively managed in response to a request from the backup data generation device to the backup data generation device. On the other hand, in the metadata management device, the metadata reception means receives the backup metadata generated by the backup data generation device, and the metadata management means uniquely identifies the received backup metadata and the backup metadata. Collect and manage information in association with each other. Then, in the metadata management apparatus, the metadata return means returns the backup metadata collectively managed in response to a request from the backup data generation apparatus to the backup data generation apparatus.

  As described above, the backup data is independently managed by the online storage device and the backup metadata is independently managed by the metadata management device, so that the availability can be improved in the system that backs up the data. Also, for example, by distributing backup data to multiple online storage devices and distributing backup metadata to multiple metadata management devices, the risk of access failures and data loss due to hardware troubles can be distributed. Therefore, availability can be improved in a system that backs up data. In addition, because online storage devices can be selected according to the backup data, for example, multiple low-cost online storage devices can be used to reduce risk, or only important data can be purchased online at a high cost with a high security level. Data can be backed up flexibly according to the user's needs, such as saving to a storage device. In addition, for example, backup metadata is centrally managed by a metadata management device, and backup data is shared between backup data generation devices that require data restoration, thereby identifying backup data independent of the backup data generation device. And restore can be done.

  By the way, the invention relating to the backup data generation device, the online storage device, the metadata management device, and the backup system can be regarded as the invention of the method, and has the same operations and effects. Each method invention can be described as follows.

  A backup method according to an aspect of the present invention is a backup method executed by an online storage device that stores backup data and a backup data generation device that can communicate with a metadata management device that manages backup metadata in a communication network. A backup data generation step for generating backup data that is necessary data for restoring the state of the backup data generation device, and a backup for transmitting the backup data generated in the backup data generation step to the online storage device Information relating to the generation of backup data in the data transmission step, the backup data generation step, and information relating to the transmission of the backup data in the backup data transmission step Generation step for generating backup metadata including metadata, a metadata transmission step for transmitting backup metadata generated in the metadata generation step to the metadata management device, and a backup integrated by the metadata management device A metadata display step for obtaining and displaying the metadata, and a restoration step for obtaining the backup data stored in the online storage device and restoring the state of the backup data generation device.

  A backup method according to an aspect of the present invention is a backup method executed by an online storage device capable of communicating with one or a plurality of backup data generation devices in a communication network, wherein the backup method is performed by one or a plurality of backup data generation devices. A backup data receiving step for receiving the generated backup data; a backup data management step for collecting and managing the backup data received in the backup data receiving step and information for uniquely identifying the backup data; In response to a request from one or a plurality of backup data generation apparatuses, the backup data managed in an integrated manner in the backup data management step is returned to the one or a plurality of backup data generation apparatuses. Includes a data return step, the.

  A backup method according to one aspect of the present invention is a backup method executed by a metadata management device capable of communicating with one or a plurality of backup data generation devices in a communication network, and the one or a plurality of backup data generation devices Metadata receiving step for receiving the backup metadata generated by the metadata, the backup metadata received in the metadata receiving step, and the metadata that is collected and managed in association with the information for uniquely identifying the backup metadata A management step and a metadata return step for returning the backup metadata managed in an integrated manner in the metadata management step to the one or more backup data generation devices in response to a request from the one or more backup data generation devices When, The backup metadata is data necessary for assisting in restoring the state of the one or more backup data generation devices generated by the one or more backup data generation devices. The backup data generating apparatus is data including information related to generation and transmission information of backup data transmitted to the online storage device for backup.

  A backup method according to one aspect of the present invention includes a backup data generation device, an online storage device that stores backup data, and a metadata management device that manages backup metadata that can communicate with each other in a communication network. A backup data generation step in which the backup data generation device generates backup data that is necessary for restoring the state of the backup data generation device, and the backup data generation device includes: The backup data generation step for transmitting the backup data generated in the backup data generation step to the online storage device and the online storage device are generated by the backup data generation device. Backup data receiving step for receiving the backed up backup data, and backup data that the online storage device collects and manages in association with the backup data received in the backup data receiving step and information for uniquely identifying the backup data A metadata generation step in which the management step and the backup data generation device generate backup metadata including information on generation of the backup data in the backup data generation step and information on transmission of the backup data in the backup data transmission step; A metadata transmission step in which the backup data generation device transmits the backup metadata generated in the metadata generation step to the metadata management device; The metadata management device receives the backup metadata generated by the backup data generation device, the metadata management device uniquely identifies the backup metadata received in the metadata reception step, and the backup metadata. A metadata management step that associates and identifies the information to be identified, and manages the backup metadata that the metadata management device aggregates and manages in the metadata management step in response to a request from the backup data generation device A metadata return step for returning to the backup data generation device, a metadata display step for the backup data generation device to acquire and display the backup metadata aggregated by the metadata management device, and online storage In response to a request from the backup data generation device, the backup data return step in which the backup data managed in an integrated manner in the backup data management step is returned to the backup data generation device, and the backup data generation device stores the backup data online. A restoration step of obtaining backup data stored by the apparatus and restoring the state of the backup data generation apparatus.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, availability can be improved in the system which backs up data.

1 is a conceptual diagram of a backup system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the backup data generation apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an online storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the metadata management apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the backup data generation apparatus, online storage apparatus, and metadata management apparatus which concern on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the backup metadata table which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the table containing the upload completion estimated time which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation of the backup method which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows another example of the table containing the upload completion estimated time which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the table containing the backup history which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows another example of the table containing the backup recommendation destination which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(System overview)
First, an overview of a backup system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the backup system 1. The backup system 1 includes a backup data generation device 2, an online storage device 3, a metadata management device 4, and a communication network 5. In the backup system 1, the backup data generation device 2, the online storage device 3, and the metadata management device 4 can communicate with each other via the communication network 5.

  The backup data generation device 2 is a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone, but is not limited thereto, and may be a PC (Personal Computer), a server device, or the like. The online storage device 3 and the metadata management device 4 are, for example, a free online storage service provided as a Web service or a paid online storage service that ensures safety. However, the online storage device 3 and the metadata management device 4 are not limited to this. It may be a device or the like. The communication network 5 is configured by, for example, the Internet network or a mobile communication network, but is not limited thereto.

  In order to maintain the availability of the system and the flexibility of storage location selection, the online storage device 3 includes two or more units such as an online storage device 3a, an online storage device 3b, and an online storage device 3c as shown in FIG. It is assumed that In the present embodiment, a plurality of devices such as the online storage device 3a, the online storage device 3b, and the online storage device 3c are collectively referred to as the online storage device 3. Further, in FIG. 1, only one backup data generation device 2 and one metadata management device 4 are shown for simplification of explanation, but a plurality of these devices may be provided.

(Configuration of backup data generation device 2)
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the backup data generation device 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention. 2 includes a backup data generation unit 21 (backup data generation unit), a backup data transmission unit 22 (backup data transmission unit), a metadata generation unit 23 (metadata generation unit), and metadata transmission. A unit 24 (metadata transmitting unit), a metadata display unit 25 (metadata display unit), a backup data receiving unit 26 (restoring unit), and a restoring unit 27 (restoring unit) are configured.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the backup data generation device 2. The backup data generation device 2 includes, as a hardware configuration, a CPU 10, a RAM 11, a ROM 12, an input unit 13 including a keyboard and a numeric keypad, a communication unit 14 that communicates with the outside, an auxiliary storage unit 10, and a display. And a display unit 16 comprising the above. The function of each functional block of the backup data generation device 2 described above is realized by causing the RAM 11 or the like to read a program or data and executing the program under the control of the CPU 10. Note that the hardware configurations of the online storage device 3 and the metadata management device 4 described later are the same as the hardware configuration of FIG.

  Hereinafter, each functional block of the backup data generation device 2 illustrated in FIG. 2 will be described. The backup data generation unit 21 generates backup data that is necessary for restoring the state of the backup data generation device 2. The backup data typically indicates pre-in application data, media data, and general applications acquired from the backup data generation device 2. Pre-in application data refers to data such as phone book contacts, call history, SMS messages, bookmarks, system settings, shortcuts for application activation and data access, alarms, dictionaries, calendars, and the like. The media data refers to a moving image / audio file in a format such as MPEG / AVI / ASF / FLV / WMV, and an image file in a format such as TIFF / JPEG / GIF / PNG / BMP. The general application is an application developed by a third party, for example, and refers to an application installed by a user. However, the backup data is not limited to these.

  Note that the backup data generation unit 21 can generate only specific data as backup data according to the user's selection. For example, the backup data generation unit 21 can generate only pre-in application data or only a specific audio file among media data as backup data. Therefore, the user can change the online storage device 3 according to the backup data.

  The backup data transmission unit 22 transmits the backup data generated by the backup data generation unit 21 to one or a plurality of online storage devices 3 selected by the user via the communication network 5.

  The metadata generation unit 23 generates backup metadata including information related to generation of backup data by the backup data generation unit 21 and information related to transmission of the backup data by the backup data transmission unit 22. Here, the information relating to the generation of backup data is uniquely identifiable information relating to the generation of backup data. Further, the information related to the transmission of backup data is information that identifies the online storage device 3 to which the backup data is transmitted by the backup data transmission unit 22, that is, the online storage device 3 that stores the backup data, as will be described later. It is. The backup metadata is configured by terminal information, backup execution date and time, backup processing result, backup data content, backup data storage location, and the like, for example, as in the example of table data including backup metadata shown in FIG. The

  The metadata transmission unit 24 transmits the backup metadata generated by the metadata generation unit 23 to the metadata management device 4 via the communication network 5.

  The metadata display unit 25 acquires and displays backup metadata aggregated by the metadata management device 4 from the metadata management device 4 via the communication network 5. In addition, the metadata display unit 25 includes backup metadata aggregated by the metadata management device 4 and backup related to the backup metadata managed in association with the backup metadata by the metadata management device 4. You may acquire and display the information regarding the state of the online storage device 3 in which data is stored. Information regarding the state of the online storage device 3 will be described later.

  The metadata display unit 25 displays the acquired backup metadata and / or information on the status of the online storage device 3, for example, all or part of the contents of the example of the table data shown in FIG. To present. Note that the metadata display unit 25 requests the metadata management device 4 for information on the status of the backup metadata and / or the online storage device 3, and in response to the request, the backup metadata and / or the online storage. Information regarding the state of the device 3 may be acquired from the metadata management device 4.

  The backup data receiving unit 26 receives and acquires backup data stored in the online storage device 3. Specifically, when the backup data generation device 2 loses data, the backup data receiving unit 26 transmits the backup data selected by the user through the metadata display unit 25 from the online storage device 3 via the communication network 5. get. The case where the backup data generation device 2 loses data refers to the case where the data is lost due to, for example, occurrence of a failure in hardware, system trouble in software, erroneous operation by a user, user's negligence, or the like.

  The restoration unit 27 restores the state of the backup data generation device 2 based on the backup data received by the backup data reception unit 26 and acquired. Specifically, the restoration unit 27 restores data lost by the backup data generation device 2 using the backup data received by the backup data receiving unit 26 and acquired.

(Configuration of online storage device 3)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of the online storage device 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The online storage device 3 shown in FIG. 3 includes a backup data receiving unit 31 (backup data receiving unit), a backup data management unit 32 (backup data management unit), and a backup data reply unit 33 (backup data reply unit). Is done.

  Hereinafter, each functional block of the online storage device 3 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. The backup data receiving unit 31 receives backup data generated by one or a plurality of backup data generation devices 2.

  The backup data management unit 32 associates and manages the backup data received by the backup data reception unit 31 and information that uniquely identifies the backup data. Specifically, the backup data management unit 32 associates the backup data with information for uniquely identifying the backup data, and stores and manages the backup data in the storage area of the online storage device 3.

  The backup data reply unit 33 replies the backup data collectively managed by the backup data management unit 32 to the one or more backup data generation devices 2 in response to a request from the one or more backup data generation devices 2. To do. Specifically, the backup data return unit 33 returns the backup data selected by the user to the backup data generation device 2 via the communication network 5.

(Configuration of metadata management device 4)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of the metadata management apparatus 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The metadata management device 4 shown in FIG. 4 includes a metadata receiving unit 41 (metadata receiving unit), a metadata management unit 42 (metadata management unit), and a metadata reply unit 43 (metadata reply unit). Composed.

  Hereinafter, each functional block of the metadata management apparatus 4 illustrated in FIG. 4 will be described. The metadata reception unit 41 receives backup metadata generated by one or a plurality of backup data generation devices 2.

  The metadata management unit 42 collects and manages the backup metadata received by the metadata reception unit 41 in association with information that uniquely identifies the backup metadata. The metadata management unit 42 may further manage information related to the state of the online storage device 3 in which backup data related to the backup metadata is stored in association with each other. Specifically, the metadata management unit 42 stores and manages backup metadata and / or information regarding the status of the online storage device 3 in the storage area of the metadata management device 4.

  Note that the metadata management unit 42 acquires information about the state of the online storage device 3 specified by the user as the backup data storage destination at a certain period, and manages the acquired information in association with the backup metadata. Good. Here, as information regarding the state of the online storage device 3, for example, the basic operation state of the online storage device 3 based on life and death monitoring, or a state in which the online storage device 3 is temporarily busy because access is concentrated, for example. This indicates information on the confirmation result or information on the remaining capacity of the storage area allocated to the user.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of table data that is managed by the metadata management unit 42 and includes information for uniquely identifying backup metadata, backup metadata, and information about the state of the online storage device 3. For example, the data in the first row of FIG. 6 indicates that the metadata ID, which is information for uniquely identifying backup metadata, is “M001”, the terminal ID is backup by “communication terminal 01”, and the backup is executed. The date and time is “March 7, 2011 12:15”, the backup processing result is “success (processing time: 36 minutes)”, the backup content is “full backup”, and the backup data storage location is the online storage device 3 “ “A storage service”, and the most recent operation state of “A storage service” is “normal operation”.

  As another example of the information related to the state of the online storage device 3, there is information related to the estimated upload completion time from the start to the completion of upload when uploading backup data from the backup data generation device 2 to the online storage device 3. . The metadata management unit 42 uploads pseudo data of an appropriate size from the backup data generation device 2 to the online storage device 3, measures the time until the upload process is completed, and the user newly starts from the measured value. Calculate the estimated upload completion time for the backup data you are going to back up. Note that the metadata management unit 42 deletes the pseudo data after calculating the estimated upload completion time.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of table data including an estimated upload completion time, which is an example of information related to the state of the online storage device 3, which is managed by the metadata management unit 42. For example, the data in the first line of FIG. 7 is that the backup data storage location is the online storage device 3 “online storage A”, the remaining capacity (described later) of “online storage A” is “1”, and “online storage” The operation state (described later) of “A” is “0”, and the upload completion prediction time is “65” minutes. Here, the remaining capacity in FIG. 7 is “1” when the free capacity of the corresponding online storage device 3 is secured to be larger than the size of the data to be backed up, and “0” when it is not secured. Assigned. Further, “1” is assigned to the operating state in FIG. 7 when the corresponding online storage device 3 is operating normally, and “0” is assigned when it is stopped. Note that the metadata management unit 42 may manage the contents of the table data shown in FIG. 7 in association with information that uniquely identifies backup metadata, backup metadata, or the like.

  In response to a request from one or a plurality of backup data generation devices 2, the metadata reply unit 43 collects backup metadata that is aggregated and managed by the metadata management unit 42 via the communication network 5. A reply is sent to the backup data generation device 2. The metadata reply unit 43 further sends information on the status of the online storage device 3 managed in association with the backup metadata by the metadata management unit 42 via the communication network 5. You may reply to the backup data generation device 2.

(Description of processing of backup system 1)
Next, the processing procedure of the backup method in the backup system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Specifically, steps S01 to S08 in FIG. 8 show a procedure for data backup, and steps S09 to S14 in FIG. 8 restore data using the data backed up in steps S01 to S08. The procedure of the process to perform is shown. First, the procedure of the data backup process in steps S01 to S08 in FIG. 8 will be described. First, in the backup data generation device 2, the backup data generation unit 21 generates backup data (step S01, backup data generation step), and the backup data transmission unit 22 stores the backup data generated in step S01 as an online storage device. 3 (step S02, backup data transmission step).

  Next, in the online storage device 3, the backup data receiving unit 31 receives the backup data transmitted in step S02 (step S03, backup data receiving step). Then, the backup data management unit 32 associates and manages the backup data received in step S03 and information that uniquely identifies the backup data (step S04, backup data management step).

  Next, in the backup data generation device 2, the metadata generation unit 23 relates to information relating to the generation of backup data in step S01, that is, uniquely identifiable information relating to the generation of backup data, and transmission of the backup data in step S02. Backup metadata including information, that is, information specifying the online storage device 3 storing the backup data is generated (step S05, metadata generation step). Then, the metadata transmission unit 24 transmits the backup metadata generated in step S05 to the metadata management device 4 (step S06, metadata transmission step).

  Next, in the metadata management device 4, the metadata receiving unit 41 receives the backup metadata transmitted in step S06 (step S07, metadata receiving step). Then, the metadata management unit 42 associates and manages the backup metadata received in step S07 and information that uniquely identifies the backup metadata (step S08, metadata management step).

  Next, a procedure of data recovery using the data backed up in steps S01 to S08 in steps S09 to S14 in FIG. 8 will be described. First, the backup data generation device 2 makes a request for backup metadata to the metadata management device 4 (step S09), and the metadata return unit 43 of the metadata management device 4 responds to the request to step S08. The backup metadata collected and managed at step S10 is returned to the backup data generation device 2 (step S10, metadata return step). Then, the metadata display unit 25 of the backup data generation device 2 acquires and displays the backup metadata returned in step S10 (step S11, metadata display step).

  Next, the backup data generation device 2 makes a request for backup data to the online storage device 3 (step S12), and the backup data return unit 33 of the online storage device 3 aggregates in step S04 in response to the request. The backup data managed in this manner is returned to the backup data generation device 2 (step S13, backup data return step). Then, the backup data receiving unit 26 of the backup data generating device 2 receives the backup data returned in step S13, and the restoring unit 27 is in a state of the backup data generating device 2 based on the backup data received in step S14. Is restored (step S14, restoration step).

  Next, operational effects of the backup data generation device 2, the online storage device 3, and the metadata management device 4 configured as described above will be described.

  According to the backup data generation device 2 of the present embodiment, the backup data generation unit 21 generates backup data, and the backup data transmission unit 22 transmits the generated backup data to the online storage device 3. Further, the metadata generation unit 23 generates backup metadata, and the metadata transmission unit 24 transmits the generated backup metadata to the metadata management device 4. Then, the metadata display unit 25 acquires and displays the backup metadata aggregated by the metadata management device 4, and the restoration unit 27 acquires the backup data stored in the online storage device 3, and the backup data The state of the generation device 2 is restored.

  As described above, since the backup data is independently managed by the online storage device 3 and the backup metadata is independently managed by the metadata management device 4, the availability is improved in the backup system 1 that backs up the data. be able to. In addition, for example, by distributing backup data to a plurality of online storage devices 3 or distributing backup metadata to a plurality of metadata management devices 4, risks such as access failures and data loss due to hardware troubles. Can be distributed and the availability can be improved in the backup system 1 that backs up data. Furthermore, since the online storage device 3 can be selected according to the backup data, for example, a plurality of low-cost online storage devices 3 are used to reduce the risk, or only important data has a high security level and a high cost. The data can be backed up flexibly according to the user's needs, such as saving in the online storage device 3. Further, for example, the backup metadata is centrally managed by the metadata management device 4 and the backup metadata is shared between the backup data generation devices 2 that need to restore the data, thereby making the backup independent of the backup data generation device 2. Data can be identified and restored.

  In addition, when transmitting the generated backup data to the online storage device 3, the backup data transmission unit 22 transmits the backup data to the plurality of online storage devices 3 at the same time, and sets the reference data size the fastest. The transmission to only the online storage device 3 that can be transmitted may be continued, and the transmission to other online storage devices 3 may be canceled. In such a case, since the user can automatically select the online storage device 3 that can transmit the backup data earliest, the convenience for the user is improved.

  Note that the metadata display unit 25 includes backup metadata collected by the metadata management device 4 and backup related to the backup metadata managed by the metadata management device 4 in association with the backup metadata. You may acquire and display the information regarding the state of the online storage device 3 in which data is stored. In this case, the user can select the online storage device 3 in which the backup data for restoring the state of the backup data generation device 2 is stored based on the displayed information on the state of the online storage device 3. , User convenience is improved.

  Further, the metadata display unit 25 may display the online storage devices 3 to which data to be newly backed up by the user should be transmitted in order of priority by using information on the state of the online storage device 3. For example, the metadata display unit 25 assigns 1 when the free space of the online storage device 3 is secured to a size that is desired to be backed up, and assigns 0 when the free space is not secured, and the online storage device 3 is in a normal state. 1 is assigned to the operation, 0.5 is assigned to the busy state, 0 is assigned to the stop, and the priority is calculated in descending order of the numerical value calculated by multiplying the assigned free capacity of the online storage device 3 and the state. Information that cannot be backed up may be presented to the user. In such a case, the user selects the online storage device 3 to store the backup data generated by the backup data generation device 2 based on the information regarding the online storage device 3 displayed in order of priority by the metadata display unit 25. Therefore, user convenience is improved.

  Further, the metadata display unit 25 may display the online storage devices 3 to which data to be newly backed up by the user should be transmitted in order of priority using the estimated upload completion time. For example, using the table data in FIG. 7 described above, the numerical values of “remaining capacity”, “operation state”, and the inverse of “upload completion prediction time” shown in FIG. The contents of the table data may be presented to the user. FIG. 9 shows that the metadata display unit 25 multiplies the table data of FIG. 7 by “remaining capacity”, “operating state”, and the reciprocal of “upload completion prediction time” and arranges them in descending order. It is a figure which shows the changed table data. In FIG. 7, the data without the estimated upload completion time is not displayed in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the metadata display unit 25 gives priority to the online storage device 3 in which the free space is ensured to be larger than the size to be backed up, is operating normally, and the backup data upload completion prediction time is short. Can be displayed. Thereby, since the user can select the online storage device 3 that can upload data quickly, the convenience for the user is improved.

  Further, the metadata display unit 25 may present data to be backed up by distributing storage destinations to a plurality of online storage devices 3 using information on the backup history by the backup data generation device 2. For example, the metadata display unit 25 confirms the online storage device 3 as the storage destination for each backup item from the backup history recorded in the metadata management device 4, and selects the single online storage device 3 as the storage destination. The backup item being extracted is extracted and the backup item is distributed to a plurality of backup items and presented to the user.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of table data related to backup history, which is managed by the metadata management device 4 and includes backup metadata and information related to the state of the online storage device 3. As shown in FIG. 10, for the backup item “call history”, a single “B storage service” is selected as the storage destination. Similarly, for the backup item “SMS”, a single “A storage” is selected. "Service" is selected as the save destination. 11, the metadata display unit 25 extracts backup items in which the single online storage device 3 is selected as the storage destination for the table data in FIG. 10, and performs backup by distributing the corresponding backup items in a plurality. It is a figure which shows the table data utilized when showing this to a user. As shown in FIG. 11, the metadata display unit 25 stores “A storage service”, “C storage service”, and “D storage service” other than “B storage service” as backup destinations for the backup item “call history”. For the backup item “SMS”, “B storage service”, “C storage service” and “D storage service” other than “A storage service” are presented as storage destinations. Note that the metadata display unit 25 may present the backup items in order of priority based on the past number of savings when presenting the backup items to the user. For example, the metadata display unit 25 may present in ascending order of the number of times of saving. Further, when the metadata display unit 25 presents the storage destination of the backup item to the user, the metadata storage unit 25 selects the online storage device 3 that has not been selected as the storage destination, the operating state of the online storage device 3, and the backup data generation device 2 May be presented in order of priority using the estimated upload completion time to the online storage device 3. For example, the metadata display unit 25 may present in ascending order of the estimated upload completion time.

  As described above, the metadata display unit 25 uses the information related to the backup history to present the data to be backed up by distributing the storage destination to the plurality of online storage devices 3, so that the user can Therefore, the convenience of the user is improved and the risk distribution of data loss can be supported.

  Further, according to the online storage device 3 of the present embodiment, the backup data receiving unit 31 receives the backup data generated by one or a plurality of backup data generating devices 2, and the backup data management unit 32 receives the backup data. And information that uniquely identifies the backup data are associated and managed. Then, the backup data return unit 33 returns the backup data managed in an aggregated manner to the one or more backup data generation devices 2 in response to a request from the one or more backup data generation devices 2. Thus, since backup data is managed independently by the online storage device 3, availability can be improved in the backup system 1 that backs up data. In addition, for example, by distributing backup data to a plurality of online storage devices 3, it is possible to distribute risks such as access failures and data loss due to hardware troubles and improve availability in a system that backs up data. it can. Furthermore, since the online storage device 3 can be selected according to the backup data, for example, a plurality of low-cost online storage devices 3 are used to reduce the risk, or only important data has a high security level and a high cost. The data can be backed up flexibly according to the user's needs, such as saving in the online storage device 3.

  Further, according to the metadata management device 4 of the present embodiment, the metadata reception unit 41 receives the backup metadata generated by one or a plurality of backup data generation devices 2, and the metadata management unit 42 is received. Backup metadata and information that uniquely identifies the backup metadata are associated with each other and managed. Then, in response to a request from one or a plurality of backup data generation devices 2, the metadata return unit 43 collects and manages the backup metadata managed by the metadata management unit 42 in the one or more backup data generation devices 2. Reply to As described above, since the backup metadata is independently managed by the metadata management device 4, the availability can be improved in the backup system 1 that backs up the data. In addition, for example, by distributing backup metadata to a plurality of metadata management devices 4, risks such as access failures and data loss due to hardware troubles are distributed, and the availability of the backup system 1 that backs up data is improved. Can be improved. Further, for example, the backup metadata is centrally managed by the metadata management device 4, and the backup metadata is shared between the backup data generation devices 2 that need to restore the data, thereby making the backup independent of the backup data generation device 2. Data can be identified and restored.

  The metadata management unit 42 further acquires information on the state of the online storage device 3 in which backup data related to the backup metadata is stored at a certain period, and aggregates the acquired information in association with the backup metadata. The metadata return unit 43 further manages the information on the status of the online storage device 3 that is managed in association with the backup metadata by the metadata management unit 42 in the one or more backups. You may reply to the data generation device 2. In such a case, the user can select the online storage device 3 in which backup data for restoring the state of the backup data generation device 2 is stored based on the returned information on the state of the online storage device 3. , User convenience is improved.

  According to the backup data generation device 2 of the present embodiment, the operation status, free capacity, communication speed, and backup of the online storage device 3 are managed by distributing and managing information related to the backup data body, the backup operation, and the status of the online storage device 3. An appropriate backup storage destination can be determined according to the data size.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Backup system, 2 ... Backup data generation device, 3 ... Online storage device, 4 ... Metadata management device, 5 ... Communication network, 10 ... CPU, 11 ... RAM, 12 ... ROM, 13 ... Input part, 14 ... Communication 15 ... Auxiliary storage device 16 ... Display unit 21 ... Backup data generation unit 22 ... Backup data transmission unit 23 ... Metadata generation unit 24 ... Metadata transmission unit 25 ... Metadata display unit 26 ... Backup data receiving unit, 27 ... Restoring unit, 31 ... Backup data receiving unit, 32 ... Backup data managing unit, 33 ... Backup data returning unit, 41 ... Metadata receiving unit, 42 ... Metadata managing unit, 43 ... Reply to metadata Department.

Claims (13)

In a communication network, a backup data generation device capable of communicating with an online storage device that stores backup data and a metadata management device that manages backup metadata,
Backup data generation means for generating backup data which is data necessary for restoring the state of the backup data generation device;
Backup data transmission means for transmitting backup data generated by the backup data generation means to the online storage device;
Metadata generation means for generating backup metadata including information on generation of backup data by the backup data generation means and information on transmission of the backup data by the backup data transmission means;
Metadata transmission means for transmitting backup metadata generated by the metadata generation means to the metadata management device;
Metadata display means for acquiring and displaying backup metadata aggregated by the metadata management device;
Restoring means for obtaining backup data stored by the online storage device and restoring the state of the backup data generation device;
A backup data generation device comprising: The metadata display means stores backup metadata aggregated by the metadata management device and backup data related to the backup metadata managed in association with the backup metadata by the metadata management device. Obtaining and displaying information about the status of the online storage device being
The backup data generation device according to claim 1. The information related to the status of the online storage device includes the operating status of the online storage device, the remaining capacity capable of storing the backup data of the backup data generation device among the storage capacity of the online storage device, and the backup data by the backup data transmitting means Including one or more of the estimated transmission completion time from the start to the completion of transmission and the number of backups in the online storage device by the backup data generation device,
The metadata display means prioritizes and displays backup metadata to be displayed and information on the status of the online storage device based on the acquired backup metadata and information on the status of the online storage device.
The backup data generation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The backup data transmission unit transmits the backup data generated by the backup data generation unit to a plurality of the online storage devices at the same time, and the reference data size is the earliest among the plurality of online storage devices. Continue transmission to only the online storage device that was able to be transmitted, cancel transmission to the other online storage device,
The backup data generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the backup data generation apparatus is a backup data generation apparatus. An online storage device capable of communicating with one or a plurality of backup data generation devices in a communication network,
Backup data receiving means for receiving backup data generated by the one or more backup data generating devices;
Backup data management means for managing the backup data received by the backup data receiving means and information that uniquely identifies the backup data in association with each other;
In response to a request from the one or a plurality of backup data generation devices, backup data returned by the backup data management unit and returned to the one or a plurality of backup data generation devices, backup data managed by the backup data management unit,
Online storage device comprising: A metadata management device capable of communicating with one or a plurality of backup data generation devices in a communication network,
Metadata receiving means for receiving backup metadata generated by the one or more backup data generating devices;
Metadata management means for collecting and managing backup metadata received by the metadata receiving means and information for uniquely identifying the backup metadata;
In response to a request from the one or more backup data generation devices, metadata return means for returning backup metadata managed and aggregated by the metadata management means to the one or more backup data generation devices;
With
Backup metadata is data necessary to assist in restoring the state of the one or more backup data generation devices generated by the one or more backup data generation devices, and the one or more backup data generation devices Data including information relating to generation and information relating to transmission of backup data transmitted to an online storage device for backup by a plurality of backup data generation devices,
A metadata management device characterized by that. The metadata management means further acquires information related to the state of the online storage device in which backup data relating to the backup metadata is stored at a certain period, and collects and manages the acquired information in association with the backup metadata. And
The metadata return means further returns, to the one or more backup data generation apparatuses, information relating to the status of the online storage device managed in association with the backup metadata by the metadata management means. To
The metadata management apparatus according to claim 6. The information related to the status of the online storage device includes the operating status of the online storage device, the remaining capacity that can store the backup data of the backup data generation device among the storage capacity of the online storage device, and the online data from the backup data generation device Including one or more of transmission completion prediction time from the start to completion of transmission of backup data to the storage device, and the number of backups in the online storage device by the backup data generation device,
The metadata management apparatus according to claim 7. A backup system including a backup data generation device, an online storage device for storing backup data, and a metadata management device for managing backup metadata, which can communicate with each other in a communication network,
The backup data generation device includes:
Backup data generation means for generating backup data which is data necessary for restoring the state of the backup data generation device;
Backup data transmission means for transmitting backup data generated by the backup data generation means to the online storage device;
Metadata generation means for generating backup metadata including information on generation of backup data by the backup data generation means and information on transmission of the backup data by the backup data transmission means;
Metadata transmission means for transmitting backup metadata generated by the metadata generation means to the metadata management device;
Metadata display means for acquiring and displaying backup metadata aggregated by the metadata management device;
Restoring means for obtaining backup data stored by the online storage device and restoring the state of the backup data generation device;
With
The online storage device is:
Backup data receiving means for receiving backup data generated by the backup data generating device;
Backup data management means for managing the backup data received by the backup data receiving means and information that uniquely identifies the backup data in association with each other;
In response to a request from the backup data generation device, backup data returned by the backup data generation device, and backup data managed by the backup data management device.
With
The metadata management device includes:
Metadata receiving means for receiving backup metadata generated by the backup data generating device;
Metadata management means for collecting and managing backup metadata received by the metadata receiving means and information for uniquely identifying the backup metadata;
In response to a request from the backup data generation apparatus, metadata return means for returning backup metadata managed and aggregated by the metadata management means to the backup data generation apparatus;
Comprising
A backup system characterized by that. In a communication network, a backup method executed by an online storage device that stores backup data and a backup data generation device that can communicate with a metadata management device that manages backup metadata,
A backup data generation step for generating backup data which is data necessary for restoring the state of the backup data generation device;
Backup data transmission step of transmitting the backup data generated in the backup data generation step to the online storage device;
A metadata generation step for generating backup metadata including information on generation of backup data in the backup data generation step and information on transmission of the backup data in the backup data transmission step;
A metadata transmission step of transmitting the backup metadata generated in the metadata generation step to the metadata management device;
A metadata display step of acquiring and displaying backup metadata aggregated by the metadata management device;
A restoration step of acquiring backup data stored by the online storage device and restoring the state of the backup data generation device;
A backup method comprising: A backup method executed by an online storage device capable of communicating with one or a plurality of backup data generation devices in a communication network,
A backup data receiving step of receiving backup data generated by the one or more backup data generating devices;
A backup data management step for managing the backup data received in the backup data reception step in association with information uniquely identifying the backup data;
In response to a request from the one or more backup data generation apparatuses, a backup data return step of returning the backup data managed in an integrated manner in the backup data management step to the one or more backup data generation apparatuses;
A backup method comprising: A backup method executed by a metadata management device capable of communicating with one or a plurality of backup data generation devices in a communication network,
A metadata reception step of receiving backup metadata generated by the one or more backup data generation devices;
A metadata management step for collecting and managing the backup metadata received in the metadata reception step in association with information for uniquely identifying the backup metadata;
In response to a request from the one or a plurality of backup data generation devices, a metadata return step for returning the backup metadata collectively managed in the metadata management step to the one or a plurality of backup data generation devices;
With
Backup metadata is data necessary to assist in restoring the state of the one or more backup data generation devices generated by the one or more backup data generation devices, and the one or more backup data generation devices Data including information relating to generation and information relating to transmission of backup data transmitted to an online storage device for backup by a plurality of backup data generation devices,
A backup method characterized by that. A backup method executed by a backup system including a backup data generation device, an online storage device for storing backup data, and a metadata management device for managing backup metadata, which can communicate with each other in a communication network,
A backup data generation step in which the backup data generation device generates backup data which is data necessary to restore the state of the backup data generation device;
The backup data generation device transmits the backup data generated in the backup data generation step to the online storage device; and
A backup data receiving step in which the online storage device receives backup data generated by the backup data generation device;
Backup data management step in which the online storage device associates and manages the backup data received in the backup data reception step and information that uniquely identifies the backup data; and
The backup data generation device generates metadata for generating backup metadata including information regarding generation of backup data by the backup data generation step and information regarding transmission of the backup data by the backup data transmission step;
A metadata transmission step in which the backup data generation device transmits the backup metadata generated in the metadata generation step to the metadata management device;
A metadata reception step in which the metadata management device receives backup metadata generated by the backup data generation device;
A metadata management step in which the metadata management device associates and manages the backup metadata received in the metadata reception step and information that uniquely identifies the backup metadata;
In response to a request from the backup data generation device, the metadata management device returns the metadata backed up and managed in the metadata management step to the backup data generation device.
A metadata display step in which the backup data generation device acquires and displays backup metadata aggregated by the metadata management device;
A backup data return step in which the online storage device responds to the request of the backup data generation device and returns the backup data managed in an integrated manner in the backup data management step to the backup data generation device;
The backup data generation device acquires the backup data stored by the online storage device and restores the state of the backup data generation device; and
A backup method comprising:

Images