Method for performing incremental backup of database files

• US 8,041,675 B1
• Filed: 09/20/2004
• Issued: 10/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Veritas Technologies, LLC (Whitehouse Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Symantec Operating Corporation (NortonLifeLock Inc.)
• Inventors: McCain, Greg
• Primary Examiner(s): Hwa; Shyue Jiunn
• Application Number:
  US10/945,128
• Time in Patent Office: 2,584 Days
• Field of Search: 707/204, 714/15, 709/206
• US Class Current: 707/640
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2094 Redundant storage or storage space G06F11/2056 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2097 maintaining the standby controller/processing unit updated initialisation or re-synchronisation thereof G06F11/1658 and subgroups
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2201/80 Database-specific techniques

Abstract

A method and apparatus for incrementally backing up database files is described. In one embodiment, the present invention replicates an original database file for the purpose of creating a backup database file. The backup database file is subsequently stored in a data store and the original database file is monitored for at least one change (i.e., new e-mail message). In response to a detected change, the change to the original database file is copied to the backup database file so that the two database files are replicas of each other.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

replicating, using a computer, an original database file to create a backup database file, wherein

the original database file comprises a plurality of e-mail messages, and

the backup database file comprises respective replicas of the plurality of e-mail messages;

storing the backup database file in a data store;

registering with a mail application programming interface (MAPI) to monitor the original database file, wherein

the registering operates to configure the MAPI to detect a first event and a second event in the original database file;

determining whether the MAPI detects the first event or the second event in the original database file, wherein

the first event in the original database file comprises an addition of a new e-mail message to the plurality of e-mail messages, and

the second event comprises a deletion of at least one e-mail message from the plurality of e-mail messages; and

updating the backup database file, wherein

the updating updates the backup database file by replicating the first event or the second event, and

the updating is performed in response to determining that the MAPI detects the first event or the second event.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data store is located on a user computer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein

the replication of the first event operates to add a copy of the new e-mail message to the backup database file, and

the replication of the second event operates to delete a copy of the at least one e-mail message from the backup database file.

4. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable by one or more processors to implement a method, the method comprising:

replicating an original database file to create a backup database file, wherein

the original database file comprises a plurality of e-mail messages, and

the backup database file comprises respective replicas of the plurality of e-mail messages;

storing the backup database file in a data store;

registering with a mail application programming interface (MAPI) to monitor the original database file, wherein

the registering operates to configure the MAPI to detect a first event and a second event in the original database file;

determining whether the MAPI detects the first event or the second event in the original database file, wherein

the first event in the original database file comprises a deletion of an existing e-mail message from the plurality of e-mail messages, and

the second event comprises an addition of a new e-mail message to the plurality of e-mail messages; and

updating the backup database file, wherein

the updating updates the backup database file by replicating the first event or the second event, and

the updating is performed in response to determining that the MAPI detects the first event or the second event.

5. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein

the data store is located on a user computer.

6. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein

the replication of the first event operates to delete a copy of the existing e-mail message from the backup database file, and

the replication of the second event operates to add a copy of the new email message to the backup database file.

7. Apparatus comprising:

a storage agent for

replicating an original folder file located on a user computer to create a backup folder file, wherein

the original folder file comprises a plurality of e-mail messages, and

the backup folder file comprises respective replicas of the plurality of e-mail messages;

registering with a mail application programming interface (MAPI) to monitor the original folder file, wherein

the registering operates to configure the MAPI to detect a first event and a second event in the original folder file; and

storing the backup folder file in a data store; and

an application program interface for

determining whether the MAPI detects the first event or the second event in the original folder file, wherein

the first event in the original folder file comprises an addition of a new e-mail message to the plurality of e-mail messages, and

the second event comprises a deletion of at least one e-mail message from the plurality of e-mail messages;

wherein, in response to the application program interface determining that the MAPI detects the first event or the second event,

the storage agent is further configured to update the backup folder file by replicating the first event or the second event.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein

the e-mail message is added to the original folder file.