Content-driven data protection method for multiple storage devices
First Claim
1. A non-transitory computer-accessible storage medium storing program instructions executable by one or more processors to:
- create a first backup of a data set to form a first backup data set on a first storage device at a first point in time;
create a second backup of the data set to form a second backup data set on a second storage device at a second point in time after the first point in time, wherein the second storage device is different from the first storage device;
in response to a request to create an incremental backup of the data set to form an incremental backup data set on the first storage device at a third point in time after the second point in time;
determine the first backup data set is a most recent backup data set on the first storage device although the second backup data set on the second storage device is a more recent backup data set than the first backup data set; and
create the incremental backup data set comprising changes to the first backup dataset since the first point in time and including changes to the first backup dataset occurring after the first point in time and prior to the second point in time;
wherein to determine the most recent backup data set on the first storage device, the program instructions are executable by the one or more processors to;
determine an identifier (ID) of the first storage device by accessing metadata on the first storage device, rather than any entries of a backup catalog;
lookup an entry in the backup catalog using the ID; and
read from the entry a time that a most recent backup data set was created on the first storage device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A backup storage system and methods implemented by the backup storage system are disclosed. The backup software performs a plurality of backup operations to backup one or more data objects according to a backup schedule. The backup operations may be alternated across a plurality of backup storage devices, and each of the backup operations may operate to store a respective backup data set on one of the backup storage devices. In performing the plurality of backup operations, the backup storage system may create the backup data sets such that each respective backup storage device can be used independently of the other backup storage device(s) to perform a complete recovery of the one or more data objects to any point in time that corresponds to any respective backup data set stored on the respective backup storage device.
100 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A non-transitory computer-accessible storage medium storing program instructions executable by one or more processors to:
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create a first backup of a data set to form a first backup data set on a first storage device at a first point in time; create a second backup of the data set to form a second backup data set on a second storage device at a second point in time after the first point in time, wherein the second storage device is different from the first storage device; in response to a request to create an incremental backup of the data set to form an incremental backup data set on the first storage device at a third point in time after the second point in time; determine the first backup data set is a most recent backup data set on the first storage device although the second backup data set on the second storage device is a more recent backup data set than the first backup data set; and create the incremental backup data set comprising changes to the first backup dataset since the first point in time and including changes to the first backup dataset occurring after the first point in time and prior to the second point in time; wherein to determine the most recent backup data set on the first storage device, the program instructions are executable by the one or more processors to; determine an identifier (ID) of the first storage device by accessing metadata on the first storage device, rather than any entries of a backup catalog; lookup an entry in the backup catalog using the ID; and read from the entry a time that a most recent backup data set was created on the first storage device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method comprising:
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creating a first backup of a data set to form a first backup data set on a first storage device at a first point in time; creating a second backup of the data set to form a second backup data set on a second storage device at a second point in time after the first point in time, wherein the second storage device is different from the first storage device; in response to a request to create an incremental backup of the data set to form an incremental backup data set on the first storage device at a third point in time after the second point in time; determining the first backup data set is a most recent backup data set on the first storage device although the second backup data set on the second storage device is a more recent backup data set than the first backup data set; and creating the incremental backup data set comprising changes to the first backup dataset since the first point in time and including changes to the first backup dataset occurring after the first point in time and prior to the second point in time; wherein in response to determining it is time to perform a backup operation based on a backup schedule; accessing, prior to performing the backup operation, metadata on a storage device on which a backup data set is to be stored; using information in the accessed metadata to; identify the storage device; determine a point in time of a most recent backup data set on the storage device; determine whether a full backup data set is stored on the storage device; and performing the backup operation based on the information in the accessed metadata. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system comprising:
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a plurality of storage devices; one or more processors; and memory storing program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable by the one or more processors to; create a first backup of a data set to form a first backup data set on a first storage device at a first point in time; create a second backup of the data set to form a second backup data set on a second storage device at a second point in time after the first point in time, wherein the second storage device is different from the first storage device; in response to a request to create an incremental backup of the data set to form an incremental backup data set on the first storage device at a third point in time after the second point in time; determine the first backup data set is a most recent backup data set on the first storage device although the second backup data set on the second storage device is a more recent backup data set than the first backup data set; and create the incremental backup data set comprising changes to the first backup dataset since the first point in time and including changes to the first backup dataset occurring after the first point in time and prior to the second point in time; wherein to determine the most recent backup data set on the first storage device, the program instructions are executable by the one or more processors to; determine an identifier (ID) of the first storage device by accessing metadata on the first storage device, rather than any entries of a backup catalog; lookup an entry in the backup catalog using the ID; and read from the entry a time that a most recent backup data set was created on the first storage device.
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Specification