File backup system for producing a backup copy of a file which may be updated during backup
First Claim
1. A file backup system for performing a backup operation on portions of a file stored in a memory and simultaneously permitting updates to be made to said file during said backup operation, said file backup system comprising:
- a map for identifying said portions of said file,file update means for performing an update operation on at least one of said portions during said backup operation on said at least one of said portions, said file update means comprising means for retaining a nonupdated version of said at least one of said portions as said portion existed when said update operation began so that said nonupdated version of said portion can be backed-up during said update operation, said file update means storing said nonupdated version of said portion in a storage location in said memory that is different from a storage location of a version of said at least one of said portions on which said update operation is being performed, said file update means causing said map to indicate that said at least one of said portions is being updated and to identify said storage location of said nonupdated version of said at least one of said portions, andfile backup means for using said map to identify each portion of said file that is being updated and determine the storage location of the corresponding nonupdated version of said portion in said memory, said file backup means performing said backup operation on said nonupdated version of said portion so that said file update means can simultaneously continue to perform said update operation on said portion without interrupting or interfering with said backup operation.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A new file backup system facilitates backup of a file while it is being updated. The file header includes a set of flags which synchronize the backup operation. After the backup operation has begun, if a portion of the file being backed up requires updating, the portion of the original file to be updated is maintained in the digital data processing system. The backup control program performing the backup backs up the file, substituting the original portions for portions that have been updated. Since the updated portions of the file are maintained during backup, the file can be accessed and updated while the backup operation is taking place.
330 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A file backup system for performing a backup operation on portions of a file stored in a memory and simultaneously permitting updates to be made to said file during said backup operation, said file backup system comprising:
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a map for identifying said portions of said file, file update means for performing an update operation on at least one of said portions during said backup operation on said at least one of said portions, said file update means comprising means for retaining a nonupdated version of said at least one of said portions as said portion existed when said update operation began so that said nonupdated version of said portion can be backed-up during said update operation, said file update means storing said nonupdated version of said portion in a storage location in said memory that is different from a storage location of a version of said at least one of said portions on which said update operation is being performed, said file update means causing said map to indicate that said at least one of said portions is being updated and to identify said storage location of said nonupdated version of said at least one of said portions, and file backup means for using said map to identify each portion of said file that is being updated and determine the storage location of the corresponding nonupdated version of said portion in said memory, said file backup means performing said backup operation on said nonupdated version of said portion so that said file update means can simultaneously continue to perform said update operation on said portion without interrupting or interfering with said backup operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of performing a backup operation on portions of a file stored in a memory and simultaneously permitting updates to be made to said file during said backup operation, said file backup method comprising:
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identifying said portions of said file with a map, performing an update operation on at least one of said portions during said backup operation on said at least one of said portions, and retaining a nonupdated version of said at least one of said portions as said portion existed when said update operation began so that said nonupdated version of said portion can be backed-up during said update operation, storing said nonupdated version of said at least one of said portions in a storage location in said memory that is different from a storage location of a version of said at least one of said portions on which said update operation is being performed, causing said map to indicate that said at least one of said portions is being updated and to identify a storage location of said nonupdated version of said portion, using said map to identify each portion of said file that is being updated and determine the storage location of the corresponding nonupdated version of said portion in said memory, and performing said backup operation on said nonupdated version of said portion so that said update operation can simulataneously continue to be performed on said portion without interrupting or interfering with said backup operation. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A file update system for use with a file backup system that performs a backup operation on portions of a file stored in a memory and simultaneously permits updates to be made to said file during said backup operation,
said file backup system comprising a map that includes an original file identification portion having a plurality of entries each of which identifies a storage location of one of said portions of said file, said file update system comprising: -
A. file portion update means for performing said update operation on a selected portion of said file stored at a first said storage location during said backup operation on said selected portion, said file update means comprising means for retaining a nonupdated version of said selected portion as said selected portion existed when said update operation began so that said nonupdated version of said selected portion can be backed-up during said update operation, said file portion update means storing said nonupdated version of said portion at said first storage location in said memory, said file portion update means performing said update operation on a version of said selected portion that is stored in a selected storage location in said memory that is different from said first storage location; and B. means responsive to said file portion update means performing said update operation for establishing an entry in an update file identification portion of said map, said entry corresponding to said selected portion of said file and identifying said selected storage location of said version of said portion on which said update operation is being performed and said first storage location of the nonupdated version of said portion; said file backup system further comprising file backup means for using said map to identify each portion of said file that is being updated by said file update system and determine a storage location of a corresponding nonupdated version of said portion in said memory, said file backup means performing said backup operation on said nonupdated version of said portion so that said file update system can simultaneously continue performing said update operation on said portion without interrupting or interfering with said backup operation. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification