Low-overhead means of performing data backup
First Claim
1. A computer system comprising:
- a plurality of clients; and
a backup server coupled to a single-instance data store, said single-instance store being configured to store backup data for each of the plurality of clients, wherein said backup data includes only a single instance of any data that is stored on the plurality of clients with no duplication in the single-instance store;
wherein a client of said clients requesting data backup is configured to;
identify a plurality of data segments to be backed up;
generate a first list of fingerprints including a fingerprint for each of the plurality of data segments;
remove duplicate fingerprints from the first list; and
convey the first list to the backup server;
wherein in response to receiving the first list, the backup server is configured to;
identify first fingerprints included in the first list which match fingerprints of data segments stored in the single-instance data store; and
convey a second list to the client, the second list comprising the fingerprints of the first list without the first fingerprints;
wherein the client is configured to convey for backup, data segments of the plurality of data segments identified by the second list.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for data backup. A computer system includes clients coupled to backup server and single instance store via a network. Prior to requesting an initial data backup, a new client segments and fingerprints the data to be backed up. The new client creates a sorted list of hash values and removes duplicate values in the list. In response to receiving the sorted list, a backup server may further reduce the sorted list to a unique list by removing hash values corresponding to data segments already residing on the single instance store. In response to receiving the unique list, the new client may transmit corresponding data segments to the backup server via the network. The transmitted data segments are added to a single instance store.
157 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A computer system comprising:
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a plurality of clients; and a backup server coupled to a single-instance data store, said single-instance store being configured to store backup data for each of the plurality of clients, wherein said backup data includes only a single instance of any data that is stored on the plurality of clients with no duplication in the single-instance store; wherein a client of said clients requesting data backup is configured to; identify a plurality of data segments to be backed up; generate a first list of fingerprints including a fingerprint for each of the plurality of data segments; remove duplicate fingerprints from the first list; and convey the first list to the backup server; wherein in response to receiving the first list, the backup server is configured to; identify first fingerprints included in the first list which match fingerprints of data segments stored in the single-instance data store; and convey a second list to the client, the second list comprising the fingerprints of the first list without the first fingerprints; wherein the client is configured to convey for backup, data segments of the plurality of data segments identified by the second list. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for backing up data, the method comprising:
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identifying a plurality of data segments of a client to be backed up; generating a first list of fingerprints including a fingerprint for each of the plurality of data segments; removing duplicate fingerprints in the client from the first list; conveying the first list to a backup server; identifying first fingerprints included in the first list which match fingerprints of data segments stored in a single-instance data store, said single-instance store being configured to store backup data for each of a plurality of clients including said client, wherein said backup data includes only a single instance of any data that is stored on the plurality of clients with no duplication in the single-instance store; conveying a second list from a backup server to the client, the second list comprising the fingerprints of the first list without the first fingerprints; and conveying for backup from the client, data segments of the plurality of data segments identified by the second list. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A plurality of computer readable storage media comprising program instructions which are executable to:
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identify a plurality of data segments of a client to be backed up; generate a first list of fingerprints including a fingerprint for each of the plurality of data segments; remove duplicate fingerprints from the first list; convey the first list to a backup server; identify first fingerprints included in the first list which match fingerprints of data segments stored in a single-instance data store, said single-instance store being configured to store backup data for each of a plurality of clients including said client, wherein said backup data includes only a single instance of any data that is stored on the plurality of clients with no duplication in the single-instance store; convey a second list from a backup server to the client, the second list comprising the fingerprints of the first list without the duplicate fingerprints; and convey for backup from the client, data segments of the plurality of data segments identified by the second list. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification