US5778165A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Variable-level backup scheduling method and apparatus
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
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Filing: 1995-10-20
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Granted: 1998-07-07
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Expires: 2015-10-20
Abstract
Abstract The variable-level backup scheduling method employs a schedule in which backups are performed at set times but the level of backup performed is determined from the condition of the system at the time of backup. Under this method, user-supplied parameters stored in level-tables allow a determination of the appropriate level of backup to be performed. If the data in the scheduled level of backup has not been modified in a sufficient amount under the supplied parameters, then the backup scheduling method determines whether a specified higher level backup is appropriate. If the evaluation of the higher level backup results in a determination that not enough data has been modified, the next level is evaluated. This process continues until the criteria for backup have been met or the level that has been predetermined to be the least amount of data to be saved has been reached.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul David Saxon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 16:35
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/14; G06F11/1446; G06F11/1448; G06F11/1451; G06F11/1458; G06F11/1461
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A method of backing up a computer system, comprising: establishing a plurality of backup level, each said backup level having an associated criteria for performing a backup of said backup level, and each said backup level having an established set of data to be written to a backup storage apparatus during performance of a backup at said backup level; establishing a schedule for performing backups, said schedule having a plurality of scheduled time when backup are performed, said schedule having a predetermined backup level for each said scheduled time; at each said scheduled time performing the steps of: i. testing said associated criteria against changes in data stored in the computer system; and, ii. performing a backup at a selected backup level by writing said established set of data to said backup storage apparatus, said selected backup level being said predetermined backup level unless said testing determines a higher level backup should be performed so as to thereby back up less data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
162 words
A method of backing up a computer system, comprising: establishing a plurality of backup level, each said backup level having an associated criteria for performing a backup of said backup level, and each said backup level having an established set of data to be written to a backup storage apparatus during performance of a backup at said backup level; establishing a schedule for performing backups, said schedule having a plurality of scheduled time when backup are performed, said schedule having a predetermined backup level for each said scheduled time; at each said scheduled time performing the steps of: i. testing said associated criteria against changes in data stored in the computer system; and, ii. performing a backup at a selected backup level by writing said established set of data to said backup storage apparatus, said selected backup level being said predetermined backup level unless said testing determines a higher level backup should be performed so as to thereby back up less data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising storing said associated criteria in a level-table.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of testing said associated criteria further comprises: determining the amount of unmodified data in the computer system in response to date and time information from previous backups.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the step of testing said associated criteria further comprises: comparing changes in data stored in the computer system with parameters in said level-table.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
158 words
An apparatus to back up a computer system, comprising: means for establishing a plurality of backup levels, each said backup level having an associated criteria for performing a backup of said backup level, and each said backup level having an established set of data to be written to a backup storage apparatus during performance of a backup at said backup level; means for establishing a schedule for performing backups, said schedule having a plurality of scheduled times when backups are performed, said schedule having a predetermined backup level for each said scheduled time; means for testing said associated criteria against changes in data stored in the computer system; and, means for performing a backup at a selected backup level by writing said established set of data to said backup storage apparatus, said selected backup level being said predetermined backup level unless said testing determines a higher level backup should be performed so as to thereby back less data.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
158 words
An apparatus to back up a computer system, comprising: means for establishing a plurality of backup levels, each said backup level having an associated criteria for performing a backup of said backup level, and each said backup level having an established set of data to be written to a backup storage apparatus during performance of a backup at said backup level; means for establishing a schedule for performing backups, said schedule having a plurality of scheduled times when backups are performed, said schedule having a predetermined backup level for each said scheduled time; means for testing said associated criteria against changes in data stored in the computer system; and, means for performing a backup at a selected backup level by writing said established set of data to said backup storage apparatus, said selected backup level being said predetermined backup level unless said testing determines a higher level backup should be performed so as to thereby back less data.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said associated criteria is a level-table.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said backup storage apparatus comprises a tape drive.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said backup storage apparatus comprises a storage device connected to the computer system across a network.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of backing up a computer system comprising the steps of: establishing a schedule for performing backups, said schedule having a plurality of scheduled times when backups are performed, said schedule having a predetermined backup level for each said scheduled time; reading in date and time information from previous backups; reading in a current backup level; determining the amount of unmodified data in the computer system in response to the date and time information; comparing the amount of unmodified data in the computer system to parameters in a level-table for a scheduled level according to said schedule; invoking a backup command at the scheduled level if the amount of unmodified data is less than parameters in said level-table; and moving to a next backup level if the amount of unmodified data is not less than parameters in said level-table so as to thereby back up less data.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of backing up a computer system comprising the steps of: establishing a schedule for performing backups, said schedule having a plurality of scheduled times when backups are performed, said schedule having a predetermined backup level for each said scheduled time; reading in date and time information from previous backups; reading in a current backup level; determining the amount of unmodified data in the computer system in response to the date and time information; comparing the amount of unmodified data in the computer system to parameters in a level-table for a scheduled level according to said schedule; invoking a backup command at the scheduled level if the amount of unmodified data is less than parameters in said level-table; and moving to a next backup level if the amount of unmodified data is not less than parameters in said level-table so as to thereby back up less data.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising the steps of: repeating the steps of comparing unmodified data and moving to a next backup level until a predefined highest level is reached; and, invoking the backup command at said predefined highest level.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of storing backed up data from the computer system on a computer tape.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of storing backed up data from the computer system on a storage device connected to the computer system by a network.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
132 words
A variable-level scheduler for backing up data in a computer system, comprising: means for reading in data concerning previous backups; storage means for storing parameters for backup levels; determining means for determining the amount of unmodified data in response to said data of previous backups; comparing means for comparing the amount of unmodified data with said parameters; means for establishing a schedule for performing backups, said schedule having a plurality of scheduled times when backups are performed, said schedule having a predetermined backup level for each said scheduled time; and, backup means for backing up data in the computer system at a selected backup level, said selected backup level being said predetermined backup level unless said comparing means results in a higher backup level so as to thereby back up less data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
132 words
A variable-level scheduler for backing up data in a computer system, comprising: means for reading in data concerning previous backups; storage means for storing parameters for backup levels; determining means for determining the amount of unmodified data in response to said data of previous backups; comparing means for comparing the amount of unmodified data with said parameters; means for establishing a schedule for performing backups, said schedule having a plurality of scheduled times when backups are performed, said schedule having a predetermined backup level for each said scheduled time; and, backup means for backing up data in the computer system at a selected backup level, said selected backup level being said predetermined backup level unless said comparing means results in a higher backup level so as to thereby back up less data.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
The scheduler of claim 13 wherein said storage means comprises level-tables.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for backing up a computer system, comprising: A. establishing a plurality of backup levels, each said backup level having an associated criteria, each said backup level having an established set of data to be written; B. establishing a schedule, said schedule having scheduled times when backups are performed and predetermined backup levels included in said plurality of backup levels and corresponding to said scheduled times; and C. for performing a backup at each said scheduled time: i. testing criteria associated with the predetermined backup level for the scheduled time against the data stored in the computer system; ii. performing said backup at said scheduled time at said predetermined backup level unless said testing determines a higher level backup should be performed so as to thereby back up less data.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for backing up a computer system, comprising: A. establishing a plurality of backup levels, each said backup level having an associated criteria, each said backup level having an established set of data to be written; B. establishing a schedule, said schedule having scheduled times when backups are performed and predetermined backup levels included in said plurality of backup levels and corresponding to said scheduled times; and C. for performing a backup at each said scheduled time: i. testing criteria associated with the predetermined backup level for the scheduled time against the data stored in the computer system; ii. performing said backup at said scheduled time at said predetermined backup level unless said testing determines a higher level backup should be performed so as to thereby back up less data.
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