Remote data mirroring system

• US 8,914,666 B2
• Filed: 06/02/2011
• Issued: 12/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Axxana (Israel) Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Axxana (Israel) Ltd.
• Inventors: Winokur, Alex
• Primary Examiner(s): GUYTON, PHILIP A
• Application Number:
  US13/151,289
• Publication Number:
  US 20110231366A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,293 Days
• Field of Search: 714/6, 714/6.1, 711/161, 711/162
• US Class Current: 714/6.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1441 Resetting or repowering
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2012 and using different communication protocols
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2074 Asynchronous techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2082 Data synchronisation

Abstract

A method for data protection includes accepting data for storage from one or more data sources (24). The data is sent for storage in a primary storage device (28) and in a secondary storage device (32). While awaiting an indication of successful storage of the data in the secondary storage device, a record associated with the data is temporarily stored in a disaster-proof storage unit (48) adjacent to the primary storage device. When an event damaging at least some of the data in the primary storage device occurs, the data is reconstructed using the record stored in the disaster-proof storage unit and at least part of the data stored in the secondary storage device.

Claims

1. A method for data protection, comprising:

in a system that comprises only a single storage device, accepting from one or more data sources data that is sent for storage only in the single storage device;

storing the accepted data in the single storage device at a site;

temporarily storing records associated with the accepted data in a disaster-proof storage unit at or adjacent to the site, including deleting one or more previous records from the disaster-proof storage unit so as to free memory space in the disaster-proof storage unit for storing the records, such that when an event damaging at least some of the data in the single storage device occurs, the disaster-proof storage unit only holds the records associated with the data that was accepted during a limited period preceding occurrence of the event; and

in response to the event, extracting the records from the disaster-proof storage unit and acting upon the extracted records.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein accepting the data comprises accepting transactions from one or more application servers.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein acting upon the extracted records comprises investigating the event.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data accepted during the limited period comprises surveillance images.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data accepted during the limited period comprises access control information.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data accepted during the limited period comprises information originating from a telephony system.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein storing the records comprises storing first records associated with at least part of the data that is relevant to investigation of the event, and second records associated with transactions accepted from one or more Information Technology (IT) systems.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein storing the records comprises giving priority to the first records over the second records in access to the disaster-proof storage unit.

18. The method according to claim 8, wherein giving priority to the first records comprises, upon detecting that the event is approaching, continuing to store the first records in the disaster-proof storage unit while declining to store the second records.

9. Apparatus for data protection, comprising:

a disaster-proof storage unit, enclosed in a reinforced disaster-proof enclosure; and

a protection processor, which is configured to accept from one or more data sources data that is sent for storage only in a single storage device, and to temporarily store records associated with the data in the disaster-proof storage unit at or adjacent to a site of the single storage device, including deleting one or more previous records from the disaster-proof storage unit so as to free memory space in the disaster-proof storage unit for storing the records, such that when an event damaging at least some of the data in the single storage disk occurs, the disaster-proof storage unit holds only the records associated with the data that was accepted during a limited period preceding occurrence of the event.

10. the apparatus according to claim 9, and comprising a recovery processor, which is configured to recover the data in the single storage device that was damaged by the event using the extracted records.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the protection processor is configured to accept the data by accepting transactions from one or more application servers.

12. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the data accepted during the predefined time period comprises data that is relevant to investigation of the event.

13. the apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the data accepted during the limited period comprises surveillance images.

14. the apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the data accepted during the limited period comprises access control information.

15. the apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the data accepted during the limited period comprises information originating from a telephony system.

16. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the protection processor is configured to store first records associated with at least part of the data that is relevant to investigation of the event, and second records associated with transactions accepted from one or more Information Technology (IT) systems.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the protection processor is configured to give priority to the first records over the second records in access to the disaster-proof storage unit.

19. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the protection processor is configured, upon detecting that the event is approaching, to continue to store the first records in the disaster-proof storage unit while declining to store the second records.

20. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a sensor configured to detect a developing disaster event at the site, and provide, upon detection, a disaster warning to the protection processor.

21. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the reinforced enclosure is hermetically sealed.

22. A method for data protection, comprising:

accepting from one or more data sources data that is sent for storage only in a single storage device;

storing the accepted data in the single storage device at the site;

temporarily storing records associated with the accepted data in a disaster-proof storage unit, enclosed in a reinforced disaster-proof enclosure which does not encompass the single storage device, at or adjacent to the site, including deleting one or more previous records from the disaster-proof storage unit so as to free memory space in the disaster-proof storage unit for storing the records, such that when an event damaging at least some of the data in the single storage device occurs, the disaster-proof storage unit holds the only records associated with the data that was accepted during a limited period preceding occurrence of the event; and

in response to the event, extracting the records from the disaster-proof storage unit and acting upon the extracted records.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the reinforced enclosure is hermetically sealed.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the disaster-proof storage unit is enclosed in the reinforced enclosure together with a homing device.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the disaster-proof storage unit is enclosed in the reinforced enclosure together with a transmitter.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the disaster-proof storage unit is mounted detachably in the reinforced enclosure.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein the reinforced enclosure includes therein an antenna in a folded state, wherein the antenna is configured to be unfolded for transmission in case of a disaster.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein the temporarily stored records include time stamps of respective write times of the data.

29. The method of claim 22, wherein the temporarily stored records include communication addresses of the data sources.