Apparatus, system, and method for emergency backup

• US 20050210316A1
• Filed: 03/05/2004
• Published: 09/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AirBNB Incorporated
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Kahler, David Ray, Benhase, Michael Thomas, Nielsen, Karl Allen, Hsu, YuCheng
• Granted Patent: US 7,536,593 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/6
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1435 using file system or storage system metadata
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1456 Hardware arrangements for backup

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method quickly backs up data in an emergency situation and reduces battery backup dependence. The apparatus may include a backup module and a dedicated computer readable storage device. The backup module interfaces with system memory and selectively transmits modified data to the storage device in response to a detected system failure. The dedicated storage device stores the modified data around the outer edge of a hard disk in order to increase write performance. The system may include the backup module, the storage device, a plurality of client devices, and a plurality of storage devices. The method includes storing modified and unmodified data, detecting a system failure, and transmitting modified data stored in a memory module to a dedicated computer readable backup device. Upon rebooting the device, the method may include restoring the modified data to the system memory and destaging the modified data to the plurality of storage devices.

Claims

1. An apparatus for efficient data backup, the apparatus comprising:

a memory module configured to store modified and unmodified data; and

a backup module configured to detect a system failure and selectively transmit modified data stored in the memory module to a dedicated computer readable backup device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dedicated computer readable backup device further comprises a computer readable peripheral selected from the group consisting of a hard disk drive, a universal serial bus storage device, a floppy disk, an optical storage disk, a flash memory storage device, and a network attached storage drive.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dedicated computer readable backup device comprises a hard disk drive formatted into sectors of a standard size, the hard disk configured to store the modified data in a plurality of the sectors located at about the outer edge of the hard disk.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the backup module is configured to transmit the modified data directly to the computer readable backup device without passing through a system processor.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dedicated computer readable backup device further comprises a data module configured to maintain a time stamp and a version number of data stored on the dedicated computer readable backup device.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the backup module is further configured to update the data module in response to a detected system failure.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a restore module configured to interface with the data module and transmit data from the dedicated computer readable backup device to the memory module in response to a detected system failure.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the restore module is further configured to update the data module in response to a detected system failure.

9. A system for efficient data backup, the system comprising:

a communications network;

a data storage controller coupled to the communications network and configured to process input/output data requests for a plurality of storage devices, the data storage controller having a memory module, a central processing unit, and a bootable storage device; and

a backup module configured to detect a system failure and selectively transmit modified data stored in the memory module to a dedicated computer readable backup device.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the dedicated computer readable backup device comprises a hard disk drive formatted into sectors, each sector having a data field having a standard size, the hard disk configured to store the modified data in a plurality of sectors at about the outer edge of the hard disk.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the dedicated computer readable backup device further comprises a data module configured to maintain a time stamp and a version number of data stored on the dedicated computer readable backup device.

12. The system of claim 9, further comprising a restore module configured to interface with the data module and transmit data from the dedicated computer readable backup device to the memory module in response to a detected system failure.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the restore module is further configured to update the data module in response to a detected system failure.

14. A computer readable storage medium comprising computer readable code configured to carry out a method for efficient data backup, the method comprising:

storing modified and unmodified data;

detecting a system failure; and

selectively transmitting modified data stored in a memory module to a dedicated computer readable backup device.

15. The computer readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises initializing the dedicated readable backup device.

16. The computer readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises receiving the modified data and storing the data in a plurality of sectors located substantially around the outer edge of the dedicated computer readable backup device.

17. The computer readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises maintaining a time stamp and a version number of data stored on the dedicated computer readable backup device.

18. The computer readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises updating the data module in response to a detected system failure.

19. The computer readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises restoring data from the dedicated computer readable backup device to the memory module in response to a detected system failure.

20. The computer readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises transmitting restored data from the memory module to a plurality of home locations.