Isolating and storing configuration data for disaster recovery

• US 20060294421A1
• Filed: 06/28/2005
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: EMC Corporation 176 South Street
• Original Assignee: EMC Corporation 176 South Street
• Inventors: Schneider, Janet L.
• Application Number:
  US11/168,823
• Publication Number:
  US 20060294421A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/15
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1456 Hardware arrangements for backup
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1469 Backup restoration techniques

Abstract

Systems and methods for performing a backup and/or restore operation of data from a computer. The systems and methods provide for a computer containing a configuration dataset and other data to be saved. The configuration dataset includes one or more configuration data components examples of which include, but are not limited to, internal databases and metadata. A first storage device is configured to be communicatively coupled with the computer and configured to receive a write request to save the configuration dataset. A second storage device is configured to receive a write request to save the other data files. During recovery, the configuration dataset on the first storage device is accessed to assist in restoring the other data files from the second storage device to a recovery computer.

Claims

1. A system for performing a backup operation of data from a computer, the system comprising:

a computer comprising a backup application that detects one or more components of configuration data and one or more files to be saved;

a first storage device configured to be communicatively coupled with the computer and configured to receive a write request to save one or more components of configuration data in a configuration dataset on the first storage device; and

a second storage device configured to be communicatively coupled with the computer and configured to receive a write request to save the one or more files on the second storage device.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the second storage device is also configured to receive a write request to save one or more components of configuration data on the second storage device.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first storage device is configured to receive a write request to save a recovery application on the first storage device.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the configuration dataset comprises at least one of one or more internal databases or metadata.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first storage device is at least one of a floppy disk, an optical disk, a Universal Serial Bus drive, or a zip disk.

6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer comprises a port configured to perform at least one of:

receive the first storage device within the port to establish communication with the first storage device;

or

use at least one of a radio frequency signal, an infrared signal, an audio signal, or an optical signal to establish communication with the first storage device.

7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer connects to the first storage device via a physical transmission line, wherein the physical transmission line is at least one of an electrical cable or an optical cable.

8. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a graphical user interface for allowing a user to select the one or more components of configuration data to be included in the configuration dataset.

9. A system for performing a backup operation of data from a computer, the system comprising:

a computer having a data storage medium containing one or more components of configuration data and one or more files;

a backup application configured to access the data storage medium on the computer for identifying and compiling predetermined components of the configuration data into a configuration dataset and for identifying one or more files to be saved;

a first storage device that is communicatively coupled to the computer for storing a copy of the configuration dataset; and

a second storage device that is communicatively coupled to the computer for storing a copy of the identified one or more files.

10. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein the first storage device is selectively communicatively coupled to the computer.

11. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein the configuration dataset comprises at least one of an internal database of the computer, or metadata describing a configuration of the computer.

12. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein the first storage device is further configured to save a recovery application.

13. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein the first storage device is at least one of a floppy disk, an optical disk, a Universal Serial Bus drive, or a zip disk.

14. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein the computer comprises a port configured to perform at least one of:

receive the first storage device within the port to establish communication with the first storage device;

or

use at least one of a radio frequency signal, an infrared signal, an audio signal, or an optical signal to establish communication with the first storage device.

15. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein the computer connects to the first storage device via a physical transmission line, wherein the physical transmission line is at least one of an electrical cable or an optical cable.

16. A system for performing a recovery operation of data to a computer, the system comprising:

a computer comprises a data storage medium;

a first storage device having a configuration dataset stored thereon, the configuration dataset comprising one or more configuration data components, the first storage device being configured to be communicatively coupled with the computer and configured to receive a read request to access one or more configuration data components; and

a second storage device having one or more files stored thereon, the second storage device being configured to be communicatively coupled with the computer and configured to receive a read request to access one or more files,

the computer being-configured to use one or more accessed configuration data components to restore one or more accessed files to the data storage medium on the computer.

17. The system as recited in claim 16, the first storage device further having a recovery application stored thereon and configured to receive a read request to access the recovery application, the computer being configured to use the recovery application to restore one or more accessed files to the data storage medium.

18. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the configuration dataset comprises at least one of one or more internal databases or metadata.

19. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the first storage device is at least one of a floppy disk, an optical disk, a USB drive, or a zip disk.

20. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the computer comprises a port configured to perform at least one of:

receive the first storage device within the port to establish communication with the first storage device;

or

use at least one of a radio frequency signal, an infrared signal, an audio signal, or an optical signal to establish communication with the first storage device.