Computer data backup operation with time-based checkpoint intervals
First Claim
1. A non-transitory computer-accessible and computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions are executable by one or more processors to:
- control a backup operation that uses a plurality of checkpoints to backup data from a source device to a backup storage device, wherein in controlling the backup operation the program instructions are executable to;
set a transfer frame size to a particular size, wherein the transfer frame size specifies an amount of data to be written between the checkpoints of the backup operation;
determine a desired checkpoint time interval which specifies a desired amount of elapsed time between the checkpoints of the backup operation;
measure an actual transfer rate at which data is transferred from the source device to the backup storage device;
determine a new size to which to set the transfer frame size using the desired checkpoint time interval and the actual transfer rate; and
reset the transfer frame size to the new size.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for controlling a backup operation to backup data from a source device to a backup storage device are described. Backup software creates checkpoints during the backup operation. Each checkpoint represents a point from which the backup operation can be re-started in case of failure. The backup software enables an administrator to specify a desired time interval between the checkpoints. The backup operation is performed using a backup protocol which uses a transfer frame size to determine when to create each checkpoint. The backup software translates the checkpoint time interval specified by the administrator into an appropriate transfer frame size in order to achieve the desired checkpoint time interval. The transfer frame size may be dynamically adjusted between each checkpoint.
26 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A non-transitory computer-accessible and computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions are executable by one or more processors to:
control a backup operation that uses a plurality of checkpoints to backup data from a source device to a backup storage device, wherein in controlling the backup operation the program instructions are executable to; set a transfer frame size to a particular size, wherein the transfer frame size specifies an amount of data to be written between the checkpoints of the backup operation; determine a desired checkpoint time interval which specifies a desired amount of elapsed time between the checkpoints of the backup operation; measure an actual transfer rate at which data is transferred from the source device to the backup storage device; determine a new size to which to set the transfer frame size using the desired checkpoint time interval and the actual transfer rate; and reset the transfer frame size to the new size. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
14. A computer-implemented method comprising:
a computer system controlling a backup operation that uses a plurality of checkpoints to backup data from a source device to a backup storage device, wherein controlling the backup operation includes; the computer system determining a desired checkpoint time interval which specifies a desired amount of elapsed time between the checkpoints of the backup operation; the computer system setting a transfer frame size to an initial size, wherein the initial size specifies an amount of data to be written to the backup storage device before a first checkpoint for the backup operation is created; the computer system initiating data transfer from the source device to the backup device; the computer system receiving a first notification indicating that the amount of data specified by the initial size has been transferred from the source device to the backup device; the computer system pausing the data transfer from the source device to the backup device in response to the first notification; the computer system creating a first checkpoint by storing information enabling the backup operation to be re-started from the first checkpoint; the computer system measuring a first actual transfer rate at which data was transferred from the source device to the backup storage device between a time when the data transfer was initiated and a time when the amount of data specified by the initial size was transferred to the backup device from the source device; the computer system determining a first new size to which to set the transfer frame size using the desired checkpoint time interval and the first actual transfer rate; the computer system resetting the transfer frame size to the first new size, wherein the first new size specifies an amount of data to be written to the backup storage device before a second checkpoint for the backup operation is created; and the computer system re-starting the data transfer from the source device to the backup device after the transfer frame size has been reset to the first new size. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
-
17. A system comprising:
-
one or more processors; and memory storing program instructions; wherein the program instructions are executable by the one or more processors to control a backup operation that uses a plurality of checkpoints to backup data from a source device to a backup storage device, wherein in controlling the backup operation the program instructions are executable by the one or more processors to; set a transfer frame size to a particular size, wherein the transfer frame size specifies an amount of data to be written between the checkpoints of the backup operation; determine a desired checkpoint time interval which specifies a desired amount of elapsed time between the checkpoints of the backup operation; measure an actual transfer rate at which data is transferred from the source device to the backup storage device; determine a new size to which to set the transfer frame size using the desired checkpoint time interval and the actual transfer rate; and reset the transfer frame size to the new size. - View Dependent Claims (18)
-
Specification