Enhanced system and method for management of system database utilities

• US 6,411,969 B1
• Filed: 08/13/1999
• Issued: 06/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Unisys Corporation
• Original Assignee: Unisys Corporation
• Inventors: Tam, Marge
• Primary Examiner(s): Breene, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, Debbie M
• Application Number:
  US09/374,351
• Time in Patent Office: 1,047 Days
• Field of Search: 707/204, 707/201, 707/205, 707/203, 707/202, 707/101, 711/118-146, 711/161-162
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1461 Backup scheduling policy
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1471 involving logging of persistent data for recovery
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/10 File systems; File servers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99955 Archiving or backup

Abstract

An enhanced method for developing back-up copies of a source database by providing incremental and accumulate dump commands from various multiple-Users which enable a selection of certain files which are identified independently of time-factor for dumping selectively either onto a separate destination medium of disk or tape. A User can determine the block size of words for blocks of data files to be dumped onto the destination medium, thus significantly reducing the number of I/O operations required.

Claims

1. A system for enabling multi-Users to operate concurrently for enhancing the function of backing-up data files from a source database means have multiple sources to a storage destination medium means having multiple receiving media comprising:

(a) utility program mans concurrently usable by multiple-Users for copying data files from said source database means by transferring data files via expandable buffer means to a series of data blocks;

(b) means for determining whether the data files are to be destined for a disk storage medium or a tape storage medium);

(c) means for placing (DUMP) said copied data files onto said disk means or tape storage medium means, said means including;

(c1) means for initiating a DUMP to Disk or DUMP to Tape command as selected by a participating User,

(c2) means for reading blocks of data files from said source database means a writing said data files onto a destination medium means of multiple Disk or Tape units, said means including;

(c2a) means for selecting the block size by a participating user of selected data files by determining the number of words to be placed in each data block;

(c2b) means for placing the newly-determined-size blocks of data files onto said destination medium.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for initiating a DUMP includes:

(c1a) expanded buffer means for temporarily stories said copied data files in a multiple series of buffers which match the size format of said destination means.

3. The system of claim 1 which includes:

(d) exclusion means for selecting only those data files which have been changed or otherwise identified as requiring transfer since the last dump that had taken place, to be accessed and written to said destination medium means.

4. In a computer system having multiple processors each operating under a Master Control Program with a main memory and I/O module connected to a source database means, a method for instituting a dump for developing a back-up copy of data from said source database means comprising the steps of:

(a) utilizing a utility program available to multiple Users to initiate the copying of data files from said source database means to a destination medium means;

(b) altering the data block size of the destination dump files by selective choice of a participating User for better compatibility of storage on said destination medium means and for reducing the number of I/O'"'"'s required;

(c) placing said copied data files in their newly-formed block format onto said destination medium means.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein step (a) includes the step of:

(a1) excluding certain selected files from being copied;

(a2) accessing other selected files to be copied due to modified data or earlier incomplete data transfers.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein step (a2) includes the step of:

(a2a) selecting which copied files are to be dumped onto a disk storage destination means.

8. The method of claim 4 wherein step (b) includes the step of:

(b1) enabling each User of multiple Users to select the block size of data files to be placed onto said destination medium means.

9. The method of claim 4 wherein step (c) includes the steps of:

(c1) expanding the block size of a temporary storage buffer means from its normal default value;

(c2) utilizing the newly-set block size of data files for placement in an expanded buffer means;

(c3) writing said newly-set block size of data files onto said destination medium means.

7. The method of claim 7 wherein step (a2) includes the step of:

(a2b) selecting which copied files are to be dumped onto a Tape storage destination means.