Management of multiple generations of backup data
First Claim
1. A backup management device that manage multiple generations of backup data by rotating a plurality of rewriteable backup media while recording backup data onto the backup media according to a predetermined backup cycle, the backup administration device comprising:
- a save period input unit that receives save periods for which the backup data should be saved, the save period being individually set by the administrator for each of the multiple generations;
an overwrite-targeted backup medium selecting unit that selects an overwrite-targeted backup medium on the basis of the backup cycle and the save period; and
a backup executing unit that executes new generation backup by overwriting the selected overwrite-targeted backup medium, and when the decision result is that overwriting is not possible, prepares a new backup medium and executes first generation backup, or issues a warning to the user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A backup system is configured by interconnecting a backup management device and disk array device via a SAN. The backup management device allows an administrator to set backup cycle, number of backup generations, and save periods. On the basis of these settings, the backup management device performs an overwrite decision process, and executes backup processes in such a way that the administrator can manage the desired number of generations of backup data with a limited number of volumes. By so doing, the administrator is able to manage multiple generations of backup data, while being allowed to set the save period for each generation on an individual basis.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A backup management device that manage multiple generations of backup data by rotating a plurality of rewriteable backup media while recording backup data onto the backup media according to a predetermined backup cycle, the backup administration device comprising:
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a save period input unit that receives save periods for which the backup data should be saved, the save period being individually set by the administrator for each of the multiple generations;
an overwrite-targeted backup medium selecting unit that selects an overwrite-targeted backup medium on the basis of the backup cycle and the save period; and
a backup executing unit that executes new generation backup by overwriting the selected overwrite-targeted backup medium, and when the decision result is that overwriting is not possible, prepares a new backup medium and executes first generation backup, or issues a warning to the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An interface for use in a backup management device that administers multiple generations of backup data by rotating a plurality of rewriteable backup media while recording backup data onto the backup media according to a predetermined backup cycle, the interface having a period display area displayed together with a time axis, predetermined areas of length corresponding to period length and divided by means of divider lines into areas equal in number to the number of save periods for which the backup data should be saved, and the length of each area being displayed as the length of each save period,
wherein the period display area allows a the save period to be modified by means of moving a the divider line through operation of a pointing device by the user.
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11. A control method for controlling a backup management device that manages multiple generations of backup data by rotating a plurality of rewriteable backup media while recording backup data onto the backup media according to a predetermined backup cycle, the control method comprising the steps of:
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(a) inputting a save period for which the backup data should be saved, the save period being individually set by the user for each of the multiple generations; and
(b) executing backup by means of selecting a predetermined overwrite-targeted backup medium on the basis of the backup cycle and the save period.
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12. A control method for controlling a backup management device that manages multiple generations of backup data by storing backup data onto any of a plurality of rewriteable backup media, according to a predetermined backup cycle, the control method comprising the steps of:
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(a) inputting a save period for which the backup data should be saved, the save period being individually set by the user for each of the multiple generations;
(b) storing the save period;
(c) storing in association with one another a the backup medium and the time at which the backup data was stored on the backup medium;
(d) at each the backup cycle, referring to the save period storage unit and the medium information unit, and when generation n (n is a natural number) backup data moves to a save period (m+1) one period older than a save period m to which the generation n belongs, deciding whether first generation backup data is overwriteable onto the backup medium in which the backup data was stored; and
(e) when the decision result is that overwriting is possible, executes first generation backup by overwriting the backup medium, and when the decision result is that overwriting is not possible, prepares a new backup medium and executes first generation backup, or issues a warning to the user.
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13. A computer program product for control of a backup management device that manages multiple generations of backup data by rotating a plurality of rewriteable backup media while recording backup data onto the backup media according to a predetermined backup cycle, the computer program product comprising:
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a computer readable medium;
a first program code unit that acquires a save period for which the backup data should be saved, the save period being individually set by the user for each of the multiple generations;
a second program code unit that selects a predetermined overwrite-targeted backup medium on the basis of the backup cycle and the save period; and
a third program code unit that executes first generation backup by overwriting the selected overwrite-targeted backup medium, and when the decision result is that overwriting is not possible, prepares a new backup medium and executes first generation backup, or issues a warning to the user, wherein each of the program code units is stored on the computer readable medium.
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Specification