Backing-up user data
First Claim
1. A method of backing up user data stored on a first computer in a network to a computer which is one of a plurality of other computers in the network, the method comprising:
- transmitting from the first computer to the network a request message indicating that user data of the first computer needs to be backed up;
receiving the message request at the other computers;
selecting one of the other computers based on data provided by the other computers in response to the request message indicating whether each of the other computers complies with one or more selection criteria;
transmitting the user data from the first computer to the selected computer with an identifier identifying the user data;
storing the transmitted user data in storage associated with the selected computer; and
further comprising retrieving the user data from the storage associated with the selected computer, the retrieval including the step of transmitting from the first computer to the network a find message indicating at least the identifier of the user data for the purpose of finding the computer backing up the user data.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
User data stored on a first computer in a network is backed up to a computer which is one of a plurality of other computers in the network. The user data may be backed-up because a new operating system is to be installed. A request message indicating that the user data needs to be backed up is transmitted from the first computer to the network and is received at the other computers. One of the other computers is selected based on data indicating the extent to which each of the replying computers complies with one or more selection criteria. The first computer then transmits the user date to the selected computer with an identifier identifying the user data. The user data is stored in storage associated with the selected computer. The first and other computers may be in the same sub-network. The selection may be made by the first computer.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of backing up user data stored on a first computer in a network to a computer which is one of a plurality of other computers in the network, the method comprising:
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transmitting from the first computer to the network a request message indicating that user data of the first computer needs to be backed up; receiving the message request at the other computers; selecting one of the other computers based on data provided by the other computers in response to the request message indicating whether each of the other computers complies with one or more selection criteria; transmitting the user data from the first computer to the selected computer with an identifier identifying the user data;
storing the transmitted user data in storage associated with the selected computer; andfurther comprising retrieving the user data from the storage associated with the selected computer, the retrieval including the step of transmitting from the first computer to the network a find message indicating at least the identifier of the user data for the purpose of finding the computer backing up the user data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of installing an operating system on a first computer in a network to replace an existing operating system on the first computer, the method comprising:
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transmitting from the first computer to a plurality of other computers in the network a request message indicating that user data of the first computer needs to be backed up; receiving the request message at the other computers; selecting one of the other computers based on data provided by the other computers in response to the request message, indicating whether each of the other computers complies with one or more selection criteria; transmitting the user data from the first computer to the selected computer with an identifier identifying the user data; storing the transmitted user data in storage associated with the selected computer; replacing the existing operating system of the first computer with another operating system whereby the user data may be lost; and after the replacement of the operating system, retrieving the user data from the storage associated with the selected computer, the retrieval including the step of transmitting from the first computer to the network a find message indicating at least the identifier of the user data for the purpose of finding the computer backing up the user data. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions, when run on a computer in a network comprising a first computer and at least one further computer, execute a method comprising:
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on receiving a request message indicating that user data of the first computer needs to be backed up, replying to the message indicating whether the computer complies with one or more selection criteria, responding to the selection of the computer by storing the user data sent from the first computer with an identifier identifying the user data, and responding to a find command from the first computer including said identifier of the stored user data to transmit the user data to the first computer. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification