Using sparse file technology to stage data that will then be stored in remote storage
First Claim
1. In a computer system that includes a processor for producing data that is stored and used by the processor at a local storage area, and a remote storage area for backing up or archiving the data, a method for transferring the data from the local storage area to the remote storage area which minimizes storage requirements at the remote storage area as well as administrative burden in transferring the data, comprising the steps of:
- monitoring the data produced by the processor at the local storage area by looking for a first triggering event that signals that the data at the local storage area is ready to be copied to a staging area;
upon detecting the first triggering event, transferring a copy of the data from the local storage area to the staging area;
processing at one or more sparse files the transferred copy of the data in order to create corresponding data with reduced storage requirements that is then used to replace the copy;
monitoring the sparse files at the staging area by looking for a second triggering event that signals that the corresponding data with reduced storage requirements generated at the one or more sparse files is ready to be transferred to the remote storage area; and
upon detecting the second triggering event, transferring the corresponding data with reduced storage requirements from the staging area to the remote storage area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to systems and methods for archiving or backing up data. The systems and methods use a staging area to temporarily store data prior to transfer to backup or archive storage. Data is copied from local storage to the staging area and stored there temporarily until it is transferred to backup or archive storage. The staging area preferably uses sparse file technology which stores a mixture of zero data and non-zero data in a storage space substantially equal to the storage space required to only store the non-zero data. Once data is transferred from the staging area to remote storage, the storage space allocated in the staging area may be deallocated in order to minimize the amount of storage space required for the staging area. In addition, the local storage space may also be deallocated, if appropriate. Using sparse file technology as the staging area results in minimal storage requirements and minimal overhead for managing the storage space of the staging area.
140 Citations
16 Claims
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1. In a computer system that includes a processor for producing data that is stored and used by the processor at a local storage area, and a remote storage area for backing up or archiving the data, a method for transferring the data from the local storage area to the remote storage area which minimizes storage requirements at the remote storage area as well as administrative burden in transferring the data, comprising the steps of:
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monitoring the data produced by the processor at the local storage area by looking for a first triggering event that signals that the data at the local storage area is ready to be copied to a staging area; upon detecting the first triggering event, transferring a copy of the data from the local storage area to the staging area; processing at one or more sparse files the transferred copy of the data in order to create corresponding data with reduced storage requirements that is then used to replace the copy; monitoring the sparse files at the staging area by looking for a second triggering event that signals that the corresponding data with reduced storage requirements generated at the one or more sparse files is ready to be transferred to the remote storage area; and upon detecting the second triggering event, transferring the corresponding data with reduced storage requirements from the staging area to the remote storage area. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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2. A computer program product for use in a computer system that includes a processor for producing data that is stored and used by the processor at a local storage area, and a remote storage area for backing up or archiving the data, the computer program product comprising a computer readable medium for carrying executable instructions that are used to implement in the computer system a method for transferring the data from the local storage area to the remote storage area which minimizes storage requirements at the remote storage area as well as administrative burden in transferring the data, and wherein said method is comprised of the steps of:
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monitoring the data produced by the processor at the local storage area by looking for a first triggering event that signals that the data at the local storage area is ready to be copied to a staging area; upon detecting the first triggering event, transferring a copy of the data from the local storage area to the staging area; processing at one or more sparse files the transferred copy of the data in order to create corresponding data with reduced storage requirements that is then used to replace the copy; monitoring the sparse files at the staging area by looking for a second triggering event that signals that the corresponding data with reduced storage requirements generated at the one or more sparse files is ready to be transferred to the remote storage area; and upon detecting the second triggering event, transferring the corresponding data with reduced storage requirements from the staging area to the remote storage area.
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Specification