Tape backup method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of providing data backup, the method comprising:
- receiving at a virtual tape backup system a tape image to be maintained;
performing a cryptographic operation on the contents of the tape image and distributing the contents of the tape image in a plurality of secondary data blocks based on a key, wherein each of the plurality of secondary data blocks contains a random or pseudo-random distribution of a respective subset of the tape image, and wherein the key is usable to determine into which of the plurality of secondary data blocks each unit of the tape image is placed; and
storing the plurality of secondary data blocks in a plurality of shares located on a plurality of physical storage devices of the virtual tape backup system by accessing one or more logical mount points that point to the plurality of physical storage devices,whereby the tape image is restorable from a threshold number less than all of the plurality of shares.
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Abstract
A secure data parser is provided that may be integrated into any suitable system for securely storing and communicating data. The secure data parser parses data and then splits the data into multiple portions that are stored or communicated distinctly. Encryption of the original data, the portions of data, or both may be employed for additional security. The secure data parser may be used to protect data in motion by splitting original data into portions of data, that may be communicated using multiple communications paths.
225 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of providing data backup, the method comprising:
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receiving at a virtual tape backup system a tape image to be maintained; performing a cryptographic operation on the contents of the tape image and distributing the contents of the tape image in a plurality of secondary data blocks based on a key, wherein each of the plurality of secondary data blocks contains a random or pseudo-random distribution of a respective subset of the tape image, and wherein the key is usable to determine into which of the plurality of secondary data blocks each unit of the tape image is placed; and storing the plurality of secondary data blocks in a plurality of shares located on a plurality of physical storage devices of the virtual tape backup system by accessing one or more logical mount points that point to the plurality of physical storage devices, whereby the tape image is restorable from a threshold number less than all of the plurality of shares. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A data backup arrangement comprising:
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a virtual tape backup system configured to receive contents of a tape image to be maintained; perform a cryptographic operation on the contents of the tape image and distribute the contents of the tape image in a plurality of secondary data blocks based on a key, wherein each of the plurality of secondary data blocks contains a random or pseudo-random distribution of a respective subset of the tape image, and wherein the key is usable to determine into which of the plurality of secondary data blocks each unit of the tape image is placed; and store the plurality of secondary data blocks in a plurality of shares located on a plurality of physical storage devices by accessing one or more logical mount points that point to the plurality of physical storage devices, whereby the tape image is restorable from a threshold number less than all of the plurality of shares. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A secure storage system configured to operate within a data backup arrangement, the secure storage system including a programmable circuit configured to execute program instructions which, when executed, configure the secure storage system to:
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receive contents of a tape image from a virtual tape backup system; perform a cryptographic operation on the contents of the tape image and distribute the contents of the tape image in a plurality of secondary data blocks based on the key, wherein each of the plurality of secondary data blocks contains a random or pseudo-random distribution of a respective subset of the tape image, and wherein the key is usable to determine into which of the plurality of secondary data blocks each unit of the tape image is placed; and store the plurality of secondary data blocks in a plurality of shares located on a plurality of physical storage devices of the virtual tape backup system by accessing one or more logical mount points that point to the plurality of physical storage devices, whereby the tape image is restorable from a threshold number less than all of the plurality of shares. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification