Storage-controller-managed outboard incremental backup/restore of data
First Claim
1. A method for backing up data stored on a data storage device coupled to a host computer, comprising the steps of:
- assigning an indicator to a unique data storage area within the data storage device, wherein the unique data storage area contains data, and wherein the indicator resides in a memory of a storage controller coupled to the data storage device;
setting a value of the indicator residing within the memory of the storage controller when the data stored in the unique data storage area has changed;
transferring the data stored in the unique data storage area of the data storage device to a backup storage device using the storage controller when the value of the indicator residing within the memory of the storage controller is set; and
clearing the value of the indicator residing within the memory of the storage controller when the data has been transferred.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A storage-controller-managed outboard incremental backup/restore of data. An indicator is assigned to an associated portion of data stored in a data storage device, wherein the indicator resides in a memory of a storage controller coupled to the data storage device. A value of the indicator residing within the memory of the storage controller is set when the associated portion of the data has changed. The associated portion of the data stored in the data storage device is backed using the storage controller when the value of the indicator residing within the memory of the storage controller is set. The value of the indicator residing within the memory of the storage controller is cleared when the associated portion of the data has been backed up.
95 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for backing up data stored on a data storage device coupled to a host computer, comprising the steps of:
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assigning an indicator to a unique data storage area within the data storage device, wherein the unique data storage area contains data, and wherein the indicator resides in a memory of a storage controller coupled to the data storage device;
setting a value of the indicator residing within the memory of the storage controller when the data stored in the unique data storage area has changed;
transferring the data stored in the unique data storage area of the data storage device to a backup storage device using the storage controller when the value of the indicator residing within the memory of the storage controller is set; and
clearing the value of the indicator residing within the memory of the storage controller when the data has been transferred. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus for backing up data, comprising:
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a data storage device; and
a storage controller, connected to the data storage device, for assigning an indicator to a unique data storage area of the data storage device, wherein the unique data storage area contains data, and wherein the indicator resides in a memory of the storage controller coupled to the data storage device, for setting a value of the indicator residing within the memory of the storage controller when the data stored in the unique data storage area has changed, for backing up the data stored in the unique data storage area of the data storage device using the storage controller when the value of the indicator residing within the memory of the storage controller is set, and for clearing the value of the indicator residing within the memory of the storage controller when the data has been backed up. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier readable by a controller and embodying one or more instructions executable by the controller to perform method steps for backing up data stored on a data storage device coupled to the controller, the method comprising the steps of:
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assigning an indicator to a unique data storage area within the data storage device, wherein the unique data storage area contains data, and wherein the indicator resides in a memory of a storage controller coupled to the data storage device;
setting a value of the indicator residing within the memory of the storage controller when the data stored in the unique data storage area has changed;
transferring the data stored in the unique data storage area of the data storage device to a backup storage device using the storage controller when the value of the indicator residing within the memory of the storage controller is set; and
clearing the value of the indicator residing within the memory of the storage controller when the data has been transferred. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification