RESTORE ASSISTANT: USING AUGMENTED BACKUP METADATA FOR STEP-BY-STEP RESTORE GUIDE
One example method includes accessing augmented metadata that was stored in connection with a backup dataset, analyzing the augmented metadata, based on the analyzing, creating a guide that identifies processes which, when performed, cause the restoration of the backup dataset to an unsupported target array, and presenting the guide to a user by way of a user interface. The user may then perform the actions indicated in the guide to restore the backup dataset to the unsupported target array.
1 . A method, comprising:
accessing augmented metadata that was stored in connection with a backup dataset;
analyzing the augmented metadata;
based on the analyzing, creating a guide that identifies processes which, when performed, cause the restoration of the backup dataset to an unsupported target array; and
presenting the guide to a user by way of a user interface.
2 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the augmented metadata comprises metadata other than basic metadata, wherein the basic metadata is adequate to enable restoration of the backup dataset to a supported target array.
3 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein performance of the method is triggered by instantiation of a restore process.
4 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the guide is a step-by-step set of instructions for restoring the backup dataset.
5 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the method is performed after a determination has been made that the target array is unsupported and/or after a determination is made that all restore operations needed to restore the backup dataset cannot be performed automatically.
6 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the backup dataset cannot be restored to the target array without the use of augmented metadata and/or without the use of the restore assistant.
7 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the restore assistant is implemented as a utility that is accessible by a backup and restore server.
8 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the backup dataset is restorable without the use of legacy systems or legacy software.
9 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the target array is relatively newer than the backup dataset and newer than systems and software that generated the backup dataset.
10 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the processes, when performed, also cause restoration of an operational state of the backup dataset to the unsupported target array.
11 . A computer readable storage medium having stored therein instructions that are executable by one or more hardware processors to perform operations comprising:
accessing augmented metadata that was stored in connection with a backup dataset;
analyzing the augmented metadata;
based on the analyzing, creating a guide that identifies processes which, when performed, cause the restoration of the backup dataset to an unsupported target array; and
presenting the guide to a user by way of a user interface.
12 . The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 11 , wherein the augmented metadata comprises metadata other than basic metadata, wherein the basic metadata is adequate to enable restoration of the backup dataset to a supported target array.
13 . The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 11 , wherein performance of the computer readable storage medium is triggered by instantiation of a restore process.
14 . The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 11 , wherein the guide is a step-by-step set of instructions for restoring the backup dataset.
15 . The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 11 , wherein the computer readable storage medium is performed after a determination has been made that the target array is unsupported and/or after a determination is made that all restore operations needed to restore the backup dataset cannot be performed automatically.
16 . The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 11 , wherein the backup dataset cannot be restored to the target array without the use of augmented metadata and/or without the use of the restore assistant.
17 . The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 11 , wherein the restore assistant is implemented as a utility that is accessible by a backup and restore server.
18 . The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 11 , wherein the backup dataset is restorable without the use of legacy systems or legacy software.
19 . The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 11 , wherein the target array is relatively newer than the backup dataset and newer than systems and software that generated the backup dataset.
20 . The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 11 , wherein the processes, when performed, also cause restoration of an operational state of the backup dataset to the unsupported target array.