Method and apparatus for providing point-in-time backup images
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- initiating a backup process, whereinthe backup process creates a backup image, andthe backup image represents a copy of all data blocks in a volume;
during the backup process, determining that at least one data block of the volume is inconsistent with the backup image;
processing the at least one data block, whereinthe processing comprisescreating bitmap information,the bitmap information indicates at least one changed block, andthe at least one changed block comprises the at least one data block;
generating a snapshot image, whereinthe snapshot image is generated while the backup process is ongoing, andthe snapshot image comprisesa point-in-time consistent copy of the at least one data block; and
producing an updated backup image, whereinthe producing comprisesupdating the backup image with the point-in-time consistent copy of the at least one data block,andthe updated backup image is point-in-time consistent.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for providing point-in-time consistent backup images while reducing a computing overhead associated with copy-on-write operations for snapshot images is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises processing at least one data block that is inconsistent with a backup image; and updating the backup image with the at least one inconsistent data block from a snapshot image, wherein the snapshot image is created after a backup process, wherein the updated backup image is point in time consistent.
22 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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initiating a backup process, wherein the backup process creates a backup image, and the backup image represents a copy of all data blocks in a volume; during the backup process, determining that at least one data block of the volume is inconsistent with the backup image; processing the at least one data block, wherein the processing comprises creating bitmap information, the bitmap information indicates at least one changed block, and the at least one changed block comprises the at least one data block; generating a snapshot image, wherein the snapshot image is generated while the backup process is ongoing, and the snapshot image comprises a point-in-time consistent copy of the at least one data block; and producing an updated backup image, wherein the producing comprises updating the backup image with the point-in-time consistent copy of the at least one data block, and the updated backup image is point-in-time consistent. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus configured to provide point-in-time consistent backup, comprising:
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a backup module, wherein the backup module is configured to initiate a backup process, the backup process creates a backup image, the backup image represents a copy of all data blocks in a volume, at least one data block of the volume is inconsistent with the backup image, a snapshot image, generated while the backup process is ongoing, comprises a point-in-time consistent copy of the at least one data block, the backup module is further configured to produce an updated backup image with the point-in-time consistent copy of the at least one data block, and the updated backup image is point-in-time consistent; and a filter driver, wherein the filter driver is configured to create bitmap information, the bitmap information indicates at least one changed data block, the at least one changed data block comprises the at least one data block, the filter driver is further configured to produce updated bitmap information by virtue of being configured to update the bitmap information, and the filter driver is further configured to determine that the at least one data block of the volume is inconsistent with the backup image, during the backup process. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system configured to provide a point-in-time consistent backup, comprising:
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a storage subsystem comprising data; and a backup computer comprising a backup module, wherein the backup module is configured to initiate a backup process, the backup process creates a backup image, the backup image represents a copy of all data blocks in a volume, at least one data block of the volume is inconsistent with the backup image, a snapshot image, generated while the backup process is ongoing, comprises a point-in-time consistent copy of the at least one data block, the backup module is further configured to produce an updated backup image with the point-in-time consistent copy of the at least one data block, and the updated backup image is point-in-time consistent; and a filter driver, wherein the filter driver is configured to create bitmap information, the bitmap information indicates at least one changed data block, the at least one changed data block comprises the at least one data block, the filter driver is further configured to produce updated bitmap information by virtue of being configured to update the bitmap information, and the filter driver is further configured to determine that the at least one data block of the volume is inconsistent with the backup image, during the backup process. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification