Patent Publication Number: US-11379438-B2

Title: Database migration between computing platforms using virtual backups

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Many entities, such as businesses, store data within databases. A database manager provides backup and restore functionality for a database. An initial full backup of the entire database is created. Subsequently, incremental backups of changes to the database since a last prior backup are then created. In this way, the initial full backup and any incremental backups can be used to restore the database, such as to restore corrupted data of the database. The database manager may provide migration functionality for the database, such as physical and/or logical migration. Such migration requires the creation of a separate full backup of the database to use for the migration. Creating the separate full backup for migration is resource intensive, consumes a large amount of storage, and can impact production systems relying on operation of the database because the database is placed into a read-only state during backup creation. Thus, current migration techniques require significant amounts of processing resources, storage resources, network bandwidth, and impact client access to data within the database. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various systems, methods, and other embodiments of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one embodiment of the boundaries. In some embodiments one element may be implemented as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be implemented as one element. In some embodiments, an element shown as an internal component of another element may be implemented as an external component and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a system associated with database migration between platforms. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of a method associated with database migration between platforms. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates an embodiment of a system associated with database migration between platforms, where a full backup is created. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates an embodiment of a system associated with database migration between platforms, where a first incremental backup is created. 
         FIG. 3C  illustrates an embodiment of a system associated with database migration between platforms, where a second incremental backup is created. 
         FIG. 3D  illustrates an embodiment of a system associated with database migration between platforms, where a target virtual full backup is identified. 
         FIG. 3E  illustrates an embodiment of a system associated with database migration between platforms, where a target virtual full backup is used to migrate the database from a first platform to a second platform. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of a non-transitory computer-readable medium. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of a computing system configured with the example systems and/or methods disclosed. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of an integrated business system and an enterprise network in which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of a multi-tenant distributed computing service platform. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Computerized systems and methods are described herein that provide for database migration between platforms. In particular, a migration module, such as a module incorporated into a zero data loss recovery appliance or other recovery appliance/computer, is configured to facilitate migration of a database from a first platform hosted on a first remote computing device to a second platform hosted on a second remote computing device. The first platform has an operating environment that is incompatible or different than an operating environment of the second platform, such as different types of operating systems, file systems, computer architectures, etc. 
     The migration module uses a virtual full backup to perform the migration of the database from the first platform to the second platform. The virtual full backup comprises references to data blocks of an incremental backup, data blocks of previous incremental backups that occurred prior to the incremental backup, and data blocks of a full backup of the database. That is, an initial full backup of the database is created, and thus comprises data blocks representing the entire database. Subsequently, an incremental backup of the database is created at a first point in time, and thus comprises data blocks representing changes made to the database since a last backup (the initial full backup). In this way, incremental backups are periodically made to capture changes made to the database since a last backup. The virtual full backup comprises the references to the data blocks of the existing incremental backups and the initial full backup, and thus the references can be used to access all the data blocks of the database at a particular point in time. 
     Because the virtual full backup leverages already existing full and incremental backups, the migration module does not require the creation of a separate full backup for the purpose of migration. In this way, computer resources, storage resources, and network bandwidth otherwise wasted in creating, transmitting, and storing the separate full backup are conserved to improve operation of computers hosting the migration module and the database. 
     Thus, the migration module implements a migration technique that provides a technical solution to a technical problem deeply rooted in computer technology of how to migrate a database between heterogeneous platforms without wasting computer resources otherwise used to create a full separate backup just for migration. Instead, the migration module can migrate the database between the heterogeneous platforms using an existing virtual full backup with metadata referencing already existing data blocks used for migration. Also, because the integrity of the existing backups were already verified, the risk of corruption or errors during migration is greatly reduced, and thus improving upon existing migration techniques that require a separate verification or do not provide any verification as part of the migration process. Further, the impact upon a production system that uses the database is minimized because the database does not need to be taken offline or placed into a read-only state for the duration of creating an entire full backup of the database. In this way, existing migration techniques are improved by performing the migration using virtual full backups. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of a system  100  associated with database migration between platforms is illustrated. The system  100  is implemented as a migration module  105  hosted on a computing device, such as a zero data loss recovery appliance or other recovery appliance/computer, such as the computer  515  of  FIG. 5 . In one embodiment, the recovery appliance is a computer comprising backup and restore functionality that can be provided for databases hosted by other computers. The migration module  105  establishes a first connection over a network with a first remote computing device  110  hosting a first platform  115 , such as a first type of operating system. The migration module  105  establishes a second connection over the network with a second remote computing device  150  hosting a second platform  155 , such as a second type of operating system that is incompatible with the first type of operating system. The platforms may be incompatible in that they may store data according to different data block sizes, they may use different file systems that physically store data in different ways and/or logically reference data in different ways, they utilize different database versions, they utilize different chip architectures, they use different endiannes, etc. 
     Backup operations  125  are performed to backup data from a database  120  hosted by the first platform  115  to the migration module  105 , such as to the zero data loss recovery appliance. The backup operations  125  can comprise a full backup operation that creates a full backup  130  of the database  120 . The backup operations  125  can comprise incremental backup operations that create incremental backups  135  of changes to the database  120  since a last backup. Virtual full backups  140  are created based upon the full backup  130  and the incremental backups  135 . A virtual full backup is created for each incoming incremental backup. A virtual full backup for an incoming incremental backup comprises references to data blocks of the full backup  130 , data blocks of the incoming incremental backup, and data blocks of previous incremental backups that occurred before the incoming incremental backup. In this way, multiple virtual full backups are created and maintained over time because a virtual full backup is created for each incoming incremental backup. 
     The migration module  105  is configured to perform a migration command to migrate the database  120  from the first platform  115  to the second platform  155  to create a migrated database  160  hosted by the second platform. The migration module  105  selects a virtual full backup to use for migrating  145  data of the database  120  into the migrated database. In one embodiment, the virtual full backup is selected based upon the virtual full backup being a latest backup of data that is to be migrated. That is, multiple virtual full backups are created over time, and thus are available to use for restoring the database and for performing migration. Each virtual full backup may be associated with a timestamp or other indicator corresponding to a point in time in which the virtual full backup was created, a creation time of an incoming incremental backup from which the virtual full backup was created, or some other time. Thus, the timestamps are evaluated to identify which virtual full backup is the latest back up of the data to be migrated. 
     The virtual full backup is evaluated to identify references to data blocks of a corresponding incremental backup for which the virtual full backup was created, data blocks of prior incremental backups, and data blocks of the full backup  130 . In this way, the references are used to identify and migrate  145  those data blocks, such as data files of the database  120 , into the migrated database  160 . The database  120  can be removed from the first platform  115  to complete the migration operation. In this way, the database  120  is migrated between heterogeneous such as incompatible platforms without wasting computer resources, storage resources, and network bandwidth to create a separate full backup merely for the migration operation because the database  120  is instead migrated using the virtual full backup. The database  120  can be migrated between two heterogeneous platforms because the references within the virtual full backup can be used to access the data blocks needed for migration. In this way, the data blocks are migrated to the second platform into the migrated database  160 . Merely migrating data blocks between platforms circumvents issues otherwise arising from attempts to use software migration applications that would need to translate between communication protocols, data storage formats, operating system commands, and/or other incompatible functionality of the two platforms. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , one embodiment of a computer implemented method  200  associated with database migration between platforms is illustrated. In one embodiment, the method  200  is performed by the migration module  105  utilizing various computing resources of the computer  515  or other computers such as a zero data loss recovery appliance or other recovery appliance/computer. The computing resources, such as the processor  520 , are used for executing instructions associated with migrating databases. Memory  535  and/or disks  555  are used for storing data structures of commands for performing database migration. Network hardware is used for communication of backup commands, migration commands, and/or database data between the computer  515  and remote computers over a network, such as for migrating database data between platforms. The method  200  is triggered upon determining that a migration command is to be executed. 
     In one embodiment, the migration module  105  is associated with a recovery appliance configured to backup data from the database  120  hosted by the first platform  115  of the first remote computing device  110 , as illustrated by example system  300  of  FIG. 3A . The recovery appliance can be a standalone computing device or any other type of computer configured with database backup and restore functionality. The migration module  105  can be integrated into the recovery appliance or communicatively coupled to the recovery appliance over a network for interacting with the recovery appliance. Backup data from the database  120  can be stored within storage devices associated with the recovery appliance and/or transmitted to remote computers and storage. 
     To perform backups from the database  120  to the recovery appliance, a first connection is established over a network to the first platform  115 . A full backup command is issued to the database  120  to perform a full backup operation  305  of the database  120  to create a full backup  310  of the database. The full backup  310  comprises data files of the database  120  that are transmitted from the first remote computing device  110  over the first connection to the recovery appliance. The full backup  310  can be stored within storage devices such as locally attached storage devices and/or within other remote computing devices and storage. A verification is performed upon the full backup  310  to verify an integrity of the full backup  310 , such as to ensure there is no missing or corrupt data. 
     Because the data of the database  120  will change over time, incremental backup commands are periodically issued to the database  120  to perform periodic incremental backup operations to backup changes made to the database  120  since a last backup operation to the recovery appliance, as illustrated by  FIG. 3B . In one embodiment, a first incremental backup operation  315  is performed to transmit changes made to the database  120  since the full backup  310  (the last prior backup) as a first incremental backup  325 . The first incremental backup  325  is stored by the recovery appliance, such as within the local storage devices or transmitted to the remote computing devices and storage. A verification is performed upon the first incremental backup  325  to verify an integrity of the first incremental backup  325 , such as to ensure there is no missing or corrupt data. 
     A first virtual full backup  335  is generated for the incoming first incremental backup  325 . The first virtual full backup  335  is created by converting the incoming first incremental backup  325  corresponding to a first point in time to a virtual representation of an incremental full backup as of the first point in time to create the first virtual full backup  335 . In particular, the first virtual full backup  335  is created to comprise metadata referencing data blocks of the incoming first incremental backup  325 , data blocks of previous incremental backups that occurred prior to the incoming first incremental backup  325  (if any), and data blocks of the full backup  310 . In this way, storage space is conserved by merely using references to existing data blocks of backups as opposed to re-storing such data blocks as a new full backup. 
     In this way, incremental backups and virtual full backups are periodically created, such as where a second incremental backup operation  340  is performed, as illustrated by  FIG. 3C . The second incremental backup operation  340  is performed to transmit changes made to the database  120  since the first incremental backup  325  (the last prior backup) as a second incremental backup  345 . The second incremental backup  345  is stored by the recovery appliance, such as within the local storage devices or transmitted to the remote computing devices and storage. A verification is performed upon the second incremental backup  345  to verify an integrity of the second incremental backup  345 , such as to ensure there is no missing or corrupt data. 
     A second virtual full backup  350  can be generated for the incoming second incremental backup  345 . The second virtual full backup  350  is created by converting the incoming second incremental backup  345  corresponding to a second point in time to a virtual representation of an incremental full backup as of the second point in time to create the second virtual full backup  350 . In particular, the second virtual full backup  350  is created to comprise metadata referencing data blocks of the incoming second incremental backup  345 , data blocks of previous incremental backups that occurred prior to the incoming second incremental backup  345  such as data blocks of the first incremental backup  325 , and data blocks of the full backup  310 . In this way, storage space is conserved by merely using references to existing data blocks of backups as opposed to re-storing such data blocks as a new full backup. In this way, the full backup  310  and one or more incremental backups of the database  120  hosted by the first platform of the first remote computing device  110  are maintained, at  205 . 
     In one embodiment, virtual full backups can be used to restore data of the database  120 , such as corrupted data. In particular, the virtual full backups are evaluated to identify a virtual full backup to use for restoring the data of the database  120 . The virtual full backup is identified based upon the virtual full backup being a latest backup of the data to be restored. The virtual full backup may be selected based upon the virtual full backup having a timestamp, corresponding to a time when the virtual full backup was created, that is later in time than timestamps of other virtual full backups. Accordingly, the virtual full backup is used to restore the data of the database  120  by storing data blocks, referenced by the virtual full backup, into the database  120  to replace the data to be restored. Various types of database restore operations can be performed using the full backup  310 , the incremental backups, and the virtual full backups, such as a full restore, a partial restore, a roll back to a prior state of the database  120 , a restore of corrupted data, etc. 
     At  210 , a migration command  355  is received by the migration module  105  to migrate the database  120  from the first platform  115  of the first remote computing device  110  to the second platform  155  of the second remote computing device  150 , as illustrated by  FIG. 3D . In one embodiment, the database  120  is to be migrated between heterogeneous platforms. That is, the first platform has a first operating environment, such as an operating system, that is different than and/or incompatible with a second operating environment of the second platform, such as a second operating system. The platforms may be incompatible in that they use different file systems, use different underlying computer architectures, store data according to different block sizes, use different programming languages and syntax, different APIs, different commands, have different operating system types or versions, etc. 
     Upon receiving the migration command  355 , the migration module  105  parses the migration command  355  to identify a set of tablespaces of the database  120  for migration. A tablespace is a storage location where actual data underlying database objects of the database  120  are stored. Data files associated with the set of tablespaces to migrate are identified. For example, the tablespace specifies the storage location of a data file to migrate. In this way, data files to migrate are identified based upon the set of tablespaces. 
     In one embodiment, a database function is executed to determine whether the set of tablespaces are transportable to the second platform  155 . Various criteria can be used to determine whether a tablespace is transportable between platforms, such as where the source and target database must use the same character set, the target database cannot comprise an existing tablespace with a same name, database objects with underlying objects cannot be transportable unless all underlying objects are in the same tablespace set, etc. Other criteria can be that tablespaces that do not use encryption but contain tables with encrypted columns cannot be transported. Criteria relating to tablespaces with XML types can be where the target database must have an XML database installed, schemas referenced by XML type tables cannot be an XML database standard scheme, schemes referenced by XML type tables cannot have cyclic dependencies, XML type tables with row level security cannot be transported, etc. If the set of tablespaces is not transportable, then an error messages is created in response to the migration command  355 . 
     At  215 , the one or more virtual full backups are evaluated to identify a target virtual full backup to use for the migration based upon the target virtual full backup being a latest backup of the data files to be migrated. In one embodiment, the second virtual full backup  350  is identified as the latest backup of the data files to be migrated based upon the second virtual full backup  350  having a timestamp that is later in time than timestamps of other virtual full backups. In another embodiment, a new virtual full backup is created to use as the target virtual full backup, instead of selecting an existing virtual full backup. For example, a command is transmitted to the first platform  115  to transition the database  120  into a read-only state for creating a new incremental backup. The first platform  115  is invoked to create the new incremental backup to comprise changes made to the database  120  since a last prior backup (the second incremental backup  345 ) with respect to the new incremental backup. Accordingly the migration module  105  receives the new incremental backup from the first platform over the network. The migration module  105  utilizes the new incremental backup to create the target virtual full backup to use for migration. The command instructs the first platform  115  to transition the database  120  into a read and write state in response to the new incremental backup being created. 
     At  220 , a migration operation  360  is performed to migrate the database  120  from the first platform  115  to the second platform  155  of the second remote computing device  150  to create a migrated database  365  at the second platform  155 , as illustrated by  FIG. 3E . The migration operation  360  parses the metadata of the target virtual full backup such as the second virtual full backup  350  to identify references to data blocks, within backups, that are to be used for migration, at  225 . The metadata of the second virtual full backup  350  is parsed to identify data blocks of the full backup  310 . The metadata of the second virtual full backup  350  is parsed to identify data blocks of the second incremental backup  345  from which the second virtual full backup  350  was created. The metadata of the second virtual full backup  350  is parsed to identify data blocks of the previous incremental backups that occurred prior to the second incremental backup  345 , such as the first incremental backup  325 . In this way, the identified data blocks are migrated from the backup data into the migrated database  365 . At  230 , the database  120  is removed  370  from the first platform  115  as part of the migration operation  360 . In other embodiments, the database  120  is not removed  370 , but is retained at the first platform  115 . 
     In another embodiment of migrating the database  120 , at least one of the full backup  310 , an incremental backup, and/or a virtual full backup are maintained and used for one or more migration operations. Either the full backup  310  or a virtual full backup is used to start a migration operation to migrate data of the database  120  hosted by the first platform  115  to the second platform  155  to create the migrated database  365 . In one embodiment, a latest full or virtual backup is selected and used to perform a first migration. Upon starting the first migration operation, an incremental backup operation is performed at the first remote computing device  110  upon the database  120  to create an incremental backup. The migration module  105  selectively uses one or more backups for continuing the migration. The migration module  105  can selectively utilize one or more of the full backup  310 , the incremental backup, and a virtual backup based upon which backup has the latest data to be migrated. The data within the selected backup is restored to the migrated database  365 . If the full backup  310  is selected, then the entire data is restored to the migrated database  365 . If the incremental backup is selected, then data of the incremental backup (e.g., the incremental backup is of 10 blocks of a total 1000 blocks of the database  120 ) is recovered to the migrated database  365 , such as to overwrite any existing data. In this way, a second migration is performed, such as where an incremental backup or a virtual full backup is selected and used for the second migration (e.g., instead of the full backup  310 . 
     In one embodiment of creating a backup to use for the first initial migration or any subsequent migration, the migration module  105  transitions tablespaces of the database  102  at the first platform  115  into a read only state, and a final backup operation is performed upon the database  120  to create a final backup. The database  120  is transitioned to the read only state merely for the creation of a consistent backup copy of the database  120 , such as the final backup. A migration operation is performed using the final backup to migrate data within the final backup of the database  120  to the migrated database  365  at the second platform  155 . In this way, a switchover from the database  120  to the migrated database  365  is performed. 
     In one embodiment, the migrated database  365  may be backed up to the recovery appliance. For example, a full backup operation of the migrated database  365  is performed to create a full backup of the migrated database  365  that is transmitted to the recovery appliance. Incremental backup operations are performed to create incremental backups of changes that occurred to the migrated database  365  since last backups were performed. The incremental backups are transmitted to the recovery appliance. Virtual full backups of the migrated database  365  are created as incoming incremental backups are received. 
     Accordingly, when a request to restore data of the migrated database  365  is received from the second platform  155 , the virtual full backups of the migrated database  365  are evaluated to identify a virtual full backup to use for restoring the data. The virtual full backup is identified based upon the virtual full backup being a latest backup of the data. In this way, the virtual full backup is used to restore the data of the migrated database  365  by restoring data blocks, referenced by metadata of the virtual full backup, into the migrated database  365  to replace the data. Such data block comprise data blocks of the full backup of the migrated database  365 , data blocks of an incremental backup from which the virtual full backup was created, and data blocks of previous incremental backups that occurred before the incremental backup. Other types of database restore operations such as a full restore, a partial restore, a roll back to a prior state of the migrated database  365 , etc. can be performed using the virtual full backup, the full backup, and the incremental backups. 
       FIG. 4  is an illustration of a scenario  400  involving an example non-transitory computer-readable medium  405 . In one embodiment, one or more of the components described herein are configured as program modules, such as the migration module  105 , stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium  405 . The program modules are configured with stored instructions, such as processor-executable instructions  420 , that when executed by at least a processor, such as processor  440 , cause the computing device to perform the corresponding function(s) as described herein. In one embodiment, the functionality of the migration module  105 , stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium  405 , may be executed by the processor  440  as the processor-executable instructions  420  to perform an embodiment  425  of the method  200  of  FIG. 2 . 
     The non-transitory computer-readable medium  405  includes the processor-executable instructions  420  that when executed by a processor  440  cause performance of at least some of the provisions herein. The non-transitory computer-readable medium  405  includes a memory semiconductor (e.g., a semiconductor utilizing static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) technologies), a platter of a hard disk drive, a flash memory device, or a magnetic or optical disc (such as a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), or floppy disk). The example non-transitory computer-readable medium  405  stores computer-readable data  410  that, when subjected to reading  415  by a reader  435  of a device  430  (e.g., a read head of a hard disk drive, or a read operation invoked on a solid-state storage device), express the processor-executable instructions  420 . 
     In some embodiments, the processor-executable instructions  420 , when executed cause performance of operations, such as at least some of the example method  200  of  FIG. 2 , for example. In some embodiments, the processor-executable instructions  420  are configured to cause implementation of a system, such as at least some of the example system  100  of  FIG. 1 , for example. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example computing device  500  that is configured and/or programmed with one or more of the example systems and methods described herein, and/or equivalents. The example computing device  500  may be the computer  515  that includes a processor  520 , a memory  535 , and I/O ports  545  operably connected by a bus  525 . In one embodiment, the computer  515  may include logic of the migration module  105  configured to facilitate the system  100  and/or the method  200  shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . In different embodiments, the logic of the migration module  105  may be implemented in hardware, a non-transitory computer-readable medium  505  with stored instructions, firmware, and/or combinations thereof. While the logic of the migration module  105  is illustrated as a hardware component attached to the bus  525 , it is to be appreciated that in other embodiments, the logic of the migration module  105  could be implemented in the processor  520 , stored in memory  535 , or stored in disk  555 . 
     In one embodiment, logic of the migration module  105  or the computer  515  is a means (e.g., structure: hardware, non-transitory computer-readable medium, firmware) for performing the actions described. In some embodiments, the computing device may be a server operating in a cloud computing system, a server configured in a Software as a Service (SaaS) architecture, a smart phone, laptop, tablet computing device, and so on. 
     The means may be implemented, for example, as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) programmed to implement rule based source sequencing for allocation. The means may also be implemented as stored computer executable instructions that are presented to computer  515  as data  510  that are temporarily stored in memory  535  and then executed by processor  520 . 
     The logic of the migration module  105  may also provide means (e.g., hardware, non-transitory computer-readable medium  505  that stores executable instructions, firmware) for performing rule based source sequencing for allocation. 
     Generally describing an example configuration of the computer  515 , the processor  520  may be a variety of various processors including dual microprocessor and other multi-processor architectures. The memory  535  may include volatile memory and/or non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory may include, for example, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), and so on. Volatile memory may include, for example, random access memory (RAM), static random-access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and so on. 
     The disks  555  may be operably connected to the computer  515  via, for example, the I/O interface  540  (e.g., card, device) and the I/O ports  545 . The disks  555  may be, for example, a magnetic disk drive, a solid state disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a tape drive, a Zip drive, a flash memory card, a memory stick, and so on. Furthermore, the disks  555  may be a CD-ROM drive, a CD-R drive, a CD-RW drive, a DVD ROM, and so on. The memory  535  can store a process, such as within the non-transitory computer-readable medium  505 , and/or data  510 , for example. The disk  555  and/or the memory  535  can store an operating system that controls and allocates resources of the computer  515 . 
     The computer  515  may interact with input/output (I/O) devices via the I/O interfaces  540  and the I/O ports  545 . The I/O devices may be, for example, a keyboard, a microphone, a pointing and selection device, cameras, video cards, displays, the disks  555 , the network devices  550 , and so on. The I/O ports  545  may include, for example, serial ports, parallel ports, and USB ports. I/O controllers  530  may connect the I/O interfaces  540  to the bus  525 . 
     The computer  515  can operate in a network environment and thus may be connected to the network devices  550  via the I/O interfaces  540 , and/or the I/O ports  545 . Through the network devices  550 , the computer  515  may interact with a network. Through the network, the computer  515  may be logically connected to remote computers (e.g., the computer  515  may reside within a distributed computing environment to which clients may connect). Networks with which the computer  515  may interact include, but are not limited to, a local area network (LAN), a new area network (WAN), and other networks. 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a system  600  in which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Enterprise network  604  may be associated with a business enterprise, such as a retailer, merchant, service provider, or other type of business. Alternatively, and in accordance with the advantages of an application service provider (ASP) hosted integrated business system (such as a multi-tenant data processing platform), the business enterprise may comprise fewer or no dedicated facilities or business network at all, provided that its end users have access to an internet browser and an internet connection. 
     For simplicity and clarity of explanation, the enterprise network  604  is represented by an on-site local area network  606  to which a plurality of personal computers  608  are connected, each generally dedicated to a particular end user, such as a service agent or other employee (although such dedication is not required), along with an exemplary remote user computer  610  that can be, for example, a laptop computer or tablet computer of a traveling employee having internet access through a public Wi-Fi access point, or other internet access method. The end users (consumers) associated with computers  608  and  610  may possess an internet-enabled smartphone or other electronic device (such as a PDA, tablet, laptop computer) having wireless internet access or other synchronization capabilities. Users of the enterprise network  604  interface with the integrated business system  602  across the Internet  612  or another suitable communications network or combination of networks. 
     Integrated business system  602 , which may be hosted by a dedicated third party, may include an integrated business server  614  and a web interface server  616 , coupled as shown in  FIG. 6 . It is to be appreciated that either or both of the integrated business server  614  and the web interface server  616  may be implemented on one or more different hardware systems and components, even though represented as singular units in  FIG. 6 . 
     In a typical example in which system  602  is operated by a third party for the benefit of multiple account owners/tenants, each of whom is operating a business, integrated business server  614  comprises an ERP module  618  and further comprises a CRM module  620 . In many cases, it will be desirable for the ERP module  618  to share methods, libraries, databases, subroutines, variables, etc., with CRM module  620 , and indeed ERP module  618  may be intertwined with CRM module  620  into an integrated Business Data Processing Platform (which may be single tenant, but is typically multi-tenant). 
     The ERP module  618  may include, but is not limited to, a finance and accounting module, an order processing module, a time and billing module, an inventory management and distribution module, an employee management and payroll module, a calendaring and collaboration module, a reporting and communication module, and other ERP-related modules. The CRM module  620  may include, but is not limited to, a sales force automation (SFA) module, a marketing automation module, a contact list module (not shown), a call center support module, a web-based customer support module, a reporting and communication module, and other CRM-related modules. 
     The integrated business server  614  (or multi-tenant data processing platform) further may provide other business functionalities including a web store/eCommerce module  622 , a partner and vendor management module  624 , and an integrated reporting module  630 . An SCM (supply chain management) module  626  and PLM (product lifecycle management) module  628  may also be provided. Web interface server  616  is configured and adapted to interface with the integrated business server  614  to provide one or more web-based user interfaces to end users of the enterprise network  604 . 
     The integrated business system shown in  FIG. 6  may be hosted on a distributed computing system made up of at least one, but likely multiple, “servers.” A server is a physical computer dedicated to providing data storage and an execution environment for one or more software applications or services intended to serve the needs of the users of other computers that are in data communication with the server, for instance via a public network such as the Internet or a private “intranet” network. The server, and the services it provides, may be referred to as the “host” and the remote computers, and the software applications running on the remote computers, being served may be referred to as “clients.” Depending on the computing service(s) that a server offers it could be referred to as a database server, data storage server, file server, mail server, print server, web server, etc. A web server is a most often a combination of hardware and the software that helps deliver content, commonly by hosting a website, to client web browsers that access the web server via the Internet. 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating elements or components of an example operating environment  700  in which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. As shown, a variety of clients  702  incorporating and/or incorporated into a variety of computing devices may communicate with a distributed computing service/platform  708  through one or more networks  714 . For example, a client may incorporate and/or be incorporated into a client application (e.g., software) implemented at least in part by one or more of the computing devices. 
     Examples of suitable computing devices include personal computers, server computers  704 , desktop computers  706 , laptop computers  708 , notebook computers, tablet computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs)  710 , smart phones  712 , cell phones, and consumer electronic devices incorporating one or more computing device components, such as one or more electronic processors, microprocessors, central processing units (CPU), or controllers. Examples of suitable networks  714  include networks utilizing wired and/or wireless communication technologies and networks operating in accordance with any suitable networking and/or communication protocol (e.g., the Internet). In use cases involving the delivery of customer support services, the computing devices noted represent the endpoint of the customer support delivery process, i.e., the consumer&#39;s device. 
     The distributed computing service/platform (which may also be referred to as a multi-tenant business data processing platform)  708  may include multiple processing tiers, including a user interface tier  716 , an application server tier  720 , and a data storage tier  724 . The user interface tier  716  may maintain multiple user interfaces  718 , including graphical user interfaces and/or web-based interfaces. The user interfaces may include a default user interface for the service to provide access to applications and data for a user or “tenant” of the service (depicted as “Service UI” in the figure), as well as one or more user interfaces that have been specialized/customized in accordance with user specific requirements (e.g., represented by “Tenant A UI”, . . . , “Tenant Z UI” in the figure, and which may be accessed via one or more APIs). 
     The default user interface may include components enabling a tenant to administer the tenant&#39;s participation in the functions and capabilities provided by the service platform, such as accessing data, causing the execution of specific data processing operations, etc. Each processing tier shown in the figure may be implemented with a set of computers and/or computer components including computer servers and processors, and may perform various functions, methods, processes, or operations as determined by the execution of a software application or set of instructions. The data storage tier  724  may include one or more data stores, which may include a Service Data store  725  and one or more Tenant Data stores  726 . 
     Each tenant data store  726  may contain tenant-specific data that is used as part of providing a range of tenant-specific business services or functions, including but not limited to ERP, CRM, eCommerce, Human Resources management, payroll, etc. Data stores may be implemented with any suitable data storage technology, including structured query language (SQL) based relational database management systems (RDBMS). 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, distributed computing service/platform  708  may be multi-tenant and service platform  708  may be operated by an entity in order to provide multiple tenants with a set of business related applications, data storage, and functionality. These applications and functionality may include ones that a business uses to manage various aspects of its operations. For example, the applications and functionality may include providing web-based access to business information systems, thereby allowing a user with a browser and an Internet or intranet connection to view, enter, process, or modify certain types of business information. 
     As noted, such business information systems may include an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system that integrates the capabilities of several historically separate business computing systems into a common system, with the intention of streamlining business processes and increasing efficiencies on a business-wide level. By way of example, the capabilities or modules of an ERP system may include (but are not required to include, nor limited to only including): accounting, order processing, time and billing, inventory management, retail point of sale (POS) systems, eCommerce, product information management (PIM), demand/material requirements planning (MRP), purchasing, content management systems (CMS), professional services automation (PSA), employee management/payroll, human resources management, and employee calendaring and collaboration, as well as reporting and analysis capabilities relating to these functions. Such functions or business applications are typically implemented by one or more modules of software code/instructions that are maintained on and executed by one or more servers  722  that are part of the platform&#39;s Application Server Tier  720 . 
     Another business information system that may be provided as part of an integrated data processing and service platform is an integrated Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, which is designed to assist in obtaining a better understanding of customers, enhance service to existing customers, and assist in acquiring new and profitable customers. By way of example, the capabilities or modules of a CRM system can include (but are not required to include, nor limited to only including): sales force automation (SFA), marketing automation, contact list, call center support, returns management authorization (RMA), loyalty program support, and web-based customer support, as well as reporting and analysis capabilities relating to these functions. 
     In addition to ERP and CRM functions, a business information system/platform (such as element  708  of  FIG. 7(A) ) may also include one or more of an integrated partner and vendor management system, eCommerce system (e.g., a virtual storefront application or platform), product lifecycle management (PLM) system, Human Resources management system (which may include medical/dental insurance administration, payroll, etc.), or supply chain management (SCM) system. Such functions or business applications are typically implemented by one or more modules of software code/instructions that are maintained on and executed by one or more servers  722  that are part of the platform&#39;s Application Server Tier  720 . 
     Note that both functional advantages and strategic advantages may be gained through the use of an integrated business system comprising ERP, CRM, and other business capabilities, as for example where the integrated business system is integrated with a merchant&#39;s eCommerce platform and/or “web-store.” For example, a customer searching for a particular product can be directed to a merchant&#39;s website and presented with a wide array of product and/or services from the comfort of their home computer, or even from their mobile phone. When a customer initiates an online sales transaction via a browser-based interface, the integrated business system can process the order, update accounts receivable, update inventory databases and other ERP-based systems, and can also automatically update strategic customer information databases and other CRM-based systems. These modules and other applications and functionalities may advantageously be integrated and executed by a single code base accessing one or more integrated databases as necessary, forming an integrated business management system or platform (such as platform  708  of  FIG. 7 ). 
     As noted with regards to  FIG. 6 , the integrated business system shown in  FIG. 7  may be hosted on a distributed computing system made up of at least one, but typically multiple, “servers.” A server is a physical computer dedicated to providing data storage and an execution environment for one or more software applications or services intended to serve the needs of the users of other computers that are in data communication with the server, for instance via a public network such as the Internet or a private “intranet” network. 
     Rather than build and maintain such an integrated business system themselves, a business may utilize systems provided by a third party. Such a third party may implement an integrated business system/platform as described above in the context of a multi-tenant platform, wherein individual instantiations of a single comprehensive integrated business system are provided to a variety of tenants. One advantage to such multi-tenant platforms is the ability for each tenant to customize their instantiation of the integrated business system to that tenant&#39;s specific business needs or operational methods. Each tenant may be a business or entity that uses the multi-tenant platform to provide business data and functionality to multiple users. Some of those multiple users may have distinct roles or responsibilities within the business or entity. 
     In some cases, a tenant may desire to modify or supplement the functionality of an existing platform application by introducing an extension to that application, where the extension is to be made available to the tenant&#39;s employees and/or customers. In some cases, such an extension may be applied to the processing of the tenant&#39;s business related data that is resident on the platform. The extension may be developed by the tenant or by a 3rd party developer and then made available to the tenant for installation. The platform may include a “library” or catalog of available extensions, which can be accessed by a tenant and searched to identify an extension of interest. Software developers may be permitted to “publish” an extension to the library or catalog after appropriate validation of a proposed extension. 
     Thus, in an effort to permit tenants to obtain the services and functionality that they desire (which may include providing certain services to their end customers, such as functionality associated with an eCommerce platform), a multi-tenant service platform may permit a tenant to configure certain aspects of the available service(s) to better suit their business needs. In this way aspects of the service platform may be customizable, and thereby enable a tenant to configure aspects of the platform to provide distinctive services to their respective users or to groups of those users. For example, a business enterprise that uses the service platform may want to provide additional functions or capabilities to their employees and/or customers, or to cause their business data to be processed in a specific way in accordance with a defined workflow that is tailored to their business needs, etc. 
     Tenant customizations to the platform may include custom functionality (such as the capability to perform tenant or user-specific functions, data processing, or operations) built on top of lower level operating system functions. Some multi-tenant service platforms may offer the ability to customize functions or operations at a number of different levels of the service platform, from aesthetic modifications to a graphical user interface to providing integration of components and/or entire applications developed by independent third party vendors. This can be very beneficial, since by permitting use of components and/or applications developed by third party vendors, a multi-tenant service can significantly enhance the functionality available to tenants and increase tenant satisfaction with the platform. 
     As noted, in addition to user customizations, an independent software developer may create an extension to a particular application that is available to users through a multi-tenant data processing platform. The extension may add new functionality or capabilities to the underlying application. One or more tenants/users of the platform may wish to add the extension to the underlying application in order to be able to utilize the enhancements to the application that are made possible by the extension. Further, the developer may wish to upgrade or provide a patch to the extension as they recognize a need for fixes or additional functionality that would be beneficial to incorporate into the extension. In some cases, the developer may prefer to make the upgrade available to only a select set of users (at least initially) in order to obtain feedback for improving the newer version of the extension, to test the stability of the extension, or to assist them to segment the market for their extension(s). 
     In another embodiment, the described methods and/or their equivalents may be implemented with computer executable instructions. Thus, in one embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable/storage medium is configured with stored computer executable instructions of an algorithm/executable application that when executed by a machine(s) cause the machine(s) (and/or associated components) to perform the method. Example machines include but are not limited to a processor, a computer, a server operating in a cloud computing system, a server configured in a Software as a Service (SaaS) architecture, a smart phone, and so on). In one embodiment, a computing device is implemented with one or more executable algorithms that are configured to perform any of the disclosed methods. 
     In one or more embodiments, the disclosed methods or their equivalents are performed by either: computer hardware configured to perform the method; or computer instructions embodied in a module stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium where the instructions are configured as an executable algorithm configured to perform the method when executed by at least a processor of a computing device. 
     While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the illustrated methodologies in the figures are shown and described as a series of blocks of an algorithm, it is to be appreciated that the methodologies are not limited by the order of the blocks. Some blocks can occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from that shown and described. Moreover, less than all the illustrated blocks may be used to implement an example methodology. Blocks may be combined or separated into multiple actions/components. Furthermore, additional and/or alternative methodologies can employ additional actions that are not illustrated in blocks. The methods described herein are limited to statutory subject matter under 35 U.S.C § 101. 
     The following includes definitions of selected terms employed herein. The definitions include various examples and/or forms of components that fall within the scope of a term and that may be used for implementation. The examples are not intended to be limiting. Both singular and plural forms of terms may be within the definitions. 
     References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “one example”, “an example”, and so on, indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation, but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element or limitation. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, though it may. 
     A “data structure”, as used herein, is an organization of data in a computing system that is stored in a memory, a storage device, or other computerized system. A data structure may be any one of, for example, a data field, a data file, a data array, a data record, a database, a data table, a graph, a tree, a linked list, and so on. A data structure may be formed from and contain many other data structures (e.g., a database includes many data records). Other examples of data structures are possible as well, in accordance with other embodiments. 
     “Computer-readable medium” or “computer storage medium”, as used herein, refers to a non-transitory medium that stores instructions and/or data configured to perform one or more of the disclosed functions when executed. Data may function as instructions in some embodiments. A computer-readable medium may take forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media, and volatile media. Non-volatile media may include, for example, optical disks, magnetic disks, and so on. Volatile media may include, for example, semiconductor memories, dynamic memory, and so on. Common forms of a computer-readable medium may include, but are not limited to, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, other magnetic medium, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device, a compact disk (CD), other optical medium, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a memory chip or card, a memory stick, solid state storage device (SSD), flash drive, and other media from which a computer, a processor or other electronic device can function with. Each type of media, if selected for implementation in one embodiment, may include stored instructions of an algorithm configured to perform one or more of the disclosed and/or claimed functions. Computer-readable media described herein are limited to statutory subject matter under 35 U.S.C § 101. 
     “Logic”, as used herein, represents a component that is implemented with computer or electrical hardware, a non-transitory medium with stored instructions of an executable application or program module, and/or combinations of these to perform any of the functions or actions as disclosed herein, and/or to cause a function or action from another logic, method, and/or system to be performed as disclosed herein. Equivalent logic may include firmware, a microprocessor programmed with an algorithm, a discrete logic (e.g., ASIC), at least one circuit, an analog circuit, a digital circuit, a programmed logic device, a memory device containing instructions of an algorithm, and so on, any of which may be configured to perform one or more of the disclosed functions. In one embodiment, logic may include one or more gates, combinations of gates, or other circuit components configured to perform one or more of the disclosed functions. Where multiple logics are described, it may be possible to incorporate the multiple logics into one logic. Similarly, where a single logic is described, it may be possible to distribute that single logic between multiple logics. In one embodiment, one or more of these logics are corresponding structure associated with performing the disclosed and/or claimed functions. Choice of which type of logic to implement may be based on desired system conditions or specifications. For example, if greater speed is a consideration, then hardware would be selected to implement functions. If a lower cost is a consideration, then stored instructions/executable application would be selected to implement the functions. Logic is limited to statutory subject matter under 35 U.S.C. § 101. 
     An “operable connection”, or a connection by which entities are “operably connected”, is one in which signals, physical communications, and/or logical communications may be sent and/or received. An operable connection may include a physical interface, an electrical interface, and/or a data interface. An operable connection may include differing combinations of interfaces and/or connections sufficient to allow operable control. For example, two entities can be operably connected to communicate signals to each other directly or through one or more intermediate entities (e.g., processor, operating system, logic, non-transitory computer-readable medium). Logical and/or physical communication channels can be used to create an operable connection. 
     “User”, as used herein, includes but is not limited to one or more persons, computers or other devices, or combinations of these. 
     While the disclosed embodiments have been illustrated and described in considerable detail, it is not the intention to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the various aspects of the subject matter. Therefore, the disclosure is not limited to the specific details or the illustrative examples shown and described. Thus, this disclosure is intended to embrace alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims, which satisfy the statutory subject matter requirements of 35 U.S.C. § 101. 
     To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is employed in the detailed description or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 
     To the extent that the term “or” is used in the detailed description or claims (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both”. When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B but not both” then the phrase “only A or B but not both” will be used. Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use.