US6081875A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for backup of a disk storage system
Assignee: EMC Corp
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Filing: 1997-05-19
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Granted: 2000-06-27
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Expires: 2017-05-19
Abstract
Abstract A backup system and method provides for creation of a reconciled snapshot backup image of a database while the database, residing on a disk array system, is in use by users. A backup computer running a commercial backup utility is connected between the array system and a tape storage system. While the backup is underway, write requests to the database are suspended until the data currently in those data blocks is copied and stored in an original data cache. The disk system address of the copied block and a pointer to the location of the block in the cache are stored in a map. The backup utility incrementally reads portions of the database from the disk system and forwards those portions to the tape system. Prior to each portion being forwarded to the tape system, all data blocks in the portion which have an address that corresponds to the address of a block in the cache are discarded and replaced with the data from the cache for that address.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard J. Clifton
- 👤 Sanjoy Chatterjee
- 👤 John P. Larson
- 👤 Joseph R. Richart
- 👤 Cyril E. Sagan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 19:31
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/14; G06F11/1446; G06F11/1458; G06F11/1466
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
In a data processing system having a host computer connected to a disk peripheral, a backup computer connected to a host computer and the disk peripheral, and a tape peripheral connected to the backup computer, a method for creating a snapshot image of a desired portion of the data residing on the disk peripheral comprising the steps of: (a) reading a block of the desired portion of the data from the disk peripheral (b) determining if a block previously read from the same disk peripheral address as the block read in step (a) is available in an original data cache; (c) if step (b) is affirmative, transferring the previously read block of data to the tape peripheral; (d) if step (b) is not affirmative, transferring the block of data read in step (a) to the tape peripheral; and (e) repeating steps (a)-(d) until the entire desired portion has been transferred to the tape peripheral.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
In a data processing system having a host computer connected to a disk peripheral, a backup computer connected to a host computer and the disk peripheral, and a tape peripheral connected to the backup computer, a method for creating a snapshot image of a desired portion of the data residing on the disk peripheral comprising the steps of: (a) reading a block of the desired portion of the data from the disk peripheral (b) determining if a block previously read from the same disk peripheral address as the block read in step (a) is available in an original data cache; (c) if step (b) is affirmative, transferring the previously read block of data to the tape peripheral; (d) if step (b) is not affirmative, transferring the block of data read in step (a) to the tape peripheral; and (e) repeating steps (a)-(d) until the entire desired portion has been transferred to the tape peripheral.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
166 words
In a data processing system having a host computer connected to a disk peripheral, a backup computer connected to the host computer and the disk peripheral and a tape peripheral connected to the backup computer, a method for creating a snapshot image of a desired portion of the data residing on the disk peripheral comprising the steps of: (a) reading a plurality of blocks of the desired data from the disk peripheral; (b) placing the plurality of blocks in a buffer; (c) for each block placed in the buffer in step (b), performing the steps of: determining if a block of data previously read from the same disk peripheral address is available in an original data cache; and if so, replacing the block of data currently in the buffer with the previously read block of data; (d) transferring the contents of the buffer to the tape peripheral; (e) repeating steps (a)-(d) until the desired portion has been transferred from the disk peripheral to the tape peripheral.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
166 words
In a data processing system having a host computer connected to a disk peripheral, a backup computer connected to the host computer and the disk peripheral and a tape peripheral connected to the backup computer, a method for creating a snapshot image of a desired portion of the data residing on the disk peripheral comprising the steps of: (a) reading a plurality of blocks of the desired data from the disk peripheral; (b) placing the plurality of blocks in a buffer; (c) for each block placed in the buffer in step (b), performing the steps of: determining if a block of data previously read from the same disk peripheral address is available in an original data cache; and if so, replacing the block of data currently in the buffer with the previously read block of data; (d) transferring the contents of the buffer to the tape peripheral; (e) repeating steps (a)-(d) until the desired portion has been transferred from the disk peripheral to the tape peripheral.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
219 words
In a data processing system having a host computer connected to an disk peripheral, a backup computer connected to the host computer and the disk peripheral and a tape peripheral connected to the backup computer, a method for creating a snapshot image of a desired portion of the data residing on the disk peripheral comprising the steps of: (a) monitoring for a write command from the host computer to the disk peripheral; (b) if a write command is detected, performing the steps of: (i) suspending the write command, (ii) copying the data from the disk peripheral addresses to which the write command is directed, (iii) storing the data copied at step (ii) in an original data cache, and (iv) executing the write; (c) reading at least one block of the desired data from the disk peripheral; (d) for each block read in step (c), performing the steps of: determining if a block of data previously read from the same disk peripheral address is available in the original data cache; and if so, transferring the previously read block of data to the tape peripheral; if not, transferring the block of data read in step (c) to the tape peripheral (e) repeating steps (a)-(d) until the desired portion of data has been transferred from the disk peripheral to the tape peripheral.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
219 words
In a data processing system having a host computer connected to an disk peripheral, a backup computer connected to the host computer and the disk peripheral and a tape peripheral connected to the backup computer, a method for creating a snapshot image of a desired portion of the data residing on the disk peripheral comprising the steps of: (a) monitoring for a write command from the host computer to the disk peripheral; (b) if a write command is detected, performing the steps of: (i) suspending the write command, (ii) copying the data from the disk peripheral addresses to which the write command is directed, (iii) storing the data copied at step (ii) in an original data cache, and (iv) executing the write; (c) reading at least one block of the desired data from the disk peripheral; (d) for each block read in step (c), performing the steps of: determining if a block of data previously read from the same disk peripheral address is available in the original data cache; and if so, transferring the previously read block of data to the tape peripheral; if not, transferring the block of data read in step (c) to the tape peripheral (e) repeating steps (a)-(d) until the desired portion of data has been transferred from the disk peripheral to the tape peripheral.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
168 words
In a data processing system having a host computer, a disk peripheral having copy-on-write capability and connected to the host computer, and a backup computer connected to the host computer and the disk peripheral, a copy-on-write method comprising the steps of: (a) monitoring for a write command from the host computer to the disk peripheral (b) if a write command is detected, performing the steps of: (i) suspending the write command, (ii) copying the data from the addresses to which the write command is directed, (iii) for each data block copied in step (ii), performing the steps of: (1) comparing the address of the block with a list of addresses of blocks previously stored in an original data cache; (2) if the address of the block is on the list, discarding the block; (3) if the address of the block is not on the list, storing the block in the original data cache and adding the address of the block to the list; and (iv) executing the write.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
168 words
In a data processing system having a host computer, a disk peripheral having copy-on-write capability and connected to the host computer, and a backup computer connected to the host computer and the disk peripheral, a copy-on-write method comprising the steps of: (a) monitoring for a write command from the host computer to the disk peripheral (b) if a write command is detected, performing the steps of: (i) suspending the write command, (ii) copying the data from the addresses to which the write command is directed, (iii) for each data block copied in step (ii), performing the steps of: (1) comparing the address of the block with a list of addresses of blocks previously stored in an original data cache; (2) if the address of the block is on the list, discarding the block; (3) if the address of the block is not on the list, storing the block in the original data cache and adding the address of the block to the list; and (iv) executing the write.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 4 wherein step b(iii) (3) includes the additional step of storing a pointer to the location of the block in the backup computer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 4 wherein step b(iii) (3) includes the additional step of storing a state indicator for the block, said state indicator indicating whether the block has been read from the backup computer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
138 words
A backup system for use with a data processing system having a disk peripheral with copy-on-write capability and a host computer connected to the disk peripheral, said backup system comprising: a tape peripheral for storing a backup copy of at least a portion of the information on the disk peripheral; and a backup computer, connected to the disk peripheral and the tape peripheral, the backup computer having means for receiving copy-on-write data from the disk peripheral, means for storing the copy-on-write data in the backup computer, means for requesting backup data from the disk peripheral, means for receiving backup data from the disk peripheral in response to a request, means for transferring data to the tape peripheral; and means for selecting either the received backup data or the stored copy-on-write data to be transferred to the tape peripheral.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
138 words
A backup system for use with a data processing system having a disk peripheral with copy-on-write capability and a host computer connected to the disk peripheral, said backup system comprising: a tape peripheral for storing a backup copy of at least a portion of the information on the disk peripheral; and a backup computer, connected to the disk peripheral and the tape peripheral, the backup computer having means for receiving copy-on-write data from the disk peripheral, means for storing the copy-on-write data in the backup computer, means for requesting backup data from the disk peripheral, means for receiving backup data from the disk peripheral in response to a request, means for transferring data to the tape peripheral; and means for selecting either the received backup data or the stored copy-on-write data to be transferred to the tape peripheral.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
117 words
A backup computer system for use with a tape peripheral, a disk peripheral having copy-on-write capability and a host computer connected to the disk peripheral, the backup computer system comprising: a backup computer, connected to the disk peripheral and the tape peripheral, the backup computer having means for receiving copy-on-write data from the disk peripheral, means for storing the copy-on-write data in the backup computer, means for requesting backup data from the disk peripheral, means for receiving backup data from the disk peripheral in response to a request, means for transferring data to the tape peripheral; and means for selecting either the received backup data or the stored copy-on-write data to be transferred to the tape peripheral.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
117 words
A backup computer system for use with a tape peripheral, a disk peripheral having copy-on-write capability and a host computer connected to the disk peripheral, the backup computer system comprising: a backup computer, connected to the disk peripheral and the tape peripheral, the backup computer having means for receiving copy-on-write data from the disk peripheral, means for storing the copy-on-write data in the backup computer, means for requesting backup data from the disk peripheral, means for receiving backup data from the disk peripheral in response to a request, means for transferring data to the tape peripheral; and means for selecting either the received backup data or the stored copy-on-write data to be transferred to the tape peripheral.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
134 words
A data storage and backup system for use with a host computer, said system comprising: a disk peripheral connected to the host computer and having copy-on-write capability; a tape peripheral for storing a backup copy of at least a portion of the information on the disk peripheral; a backup computer, connected to the disk peripheral and the tape peripheral, the backup computer having means for receiving copy-on-write data from the disk peripheral, means for storing the copy-on-write data in the backup computer, means for requesting backup data from the disk peripheral, means for receiving backup data from the disk peripheral in response to a request, means for transferring data to the tape peripheral, and means for selecting either the received backup data or the stored copy-on-write data to be transferred to the tape peripheral.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
134 words
A data storage and backup system for use with a host computer, said system comprising: a disk peripheral connected to the host computer and having copy-on-write capability; a tape peripheral for storing a backup copy of at least a portion of the information on the disk peripheral; a backup computer, connected to the disk peripheral and the tape peripheral, the backup computer having means for receiving copy-on-write data from the disk peripheral, means for storing the copy-on-write data in the backup computer, means for requesting backup data from the disk peripheral, means for receiving backup data from the disk peripheral in response to a request, means for transferring data to the tape peripheral, and means for selecting either the received backup data or the stored copy-on-write data to be transferred to the tape peripheral.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
182 words
A backup system for use with a tape peripheral, a disk peripheral with copy-on-write capability and a host computer connected to the disk peripheral, the backup system comprising: a processor for executing utility programs; data storage means; an original data cache in the data storage means; a data cache utility having means for receiving copy-on-write (COW) data from the disk peripheral and means for storing the COW data in the original data cache; a backup utility having means for issuing read commands to the disk peripheral, means for receiving data from the disk peripheral and means sending data to the tape peripheral; and a read utility having means for receiving data from the disk peripheral in response to a read command from the backup utility, means for comparing the disk peripheral address of received data with disk peripheral addresses of COW data, means for providing data to the backup utility, and means for selecting the data to be provided to the backup utility from either the data received from the disk peripheral or the COW data stored in the original data cache.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
182 words
A backup system for use with a tape peripheral, a disk peripheral with copy-on-write capability and a host computer connected to the disk peripheral, the backup system comprising: a processor for executing utility programs; data storage means; an original data cache in the data storage means; a data cache utility having means for receiving copy-on-write (COW) data from the disk peripheral and means for storing the COW data in the original data cache; a backup utility having means for issuing read commands to the disk peripheral, means for receiving data from the disk peripheral and means sending data to the tape peripheral; and a read utility having means for receiving data from the disk peripheral in response to a read command from the backup utility, means for comparing the disk peripheral address of received data with disk peripheral addresses of COW data, means for providing data to the backup utility, and means for selecting the data to be provided to the backup utility from either the data received from the disk peripheral or the COW data stored in the original data cache.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
218 words
A data processing system comprising: a host computer; a disk peripheral connected to the host computer and having an internal processor; a tape peripheral; a backup computer, connected to the disk peripheral and the tape peripheral, for making a snapshot copy on the tape peripheral of at least a portion of the data on the disk peripheral while the host computer continues to have access to the data on the disk peripheral, the backup computer including an original data cache; a data cache utility having means for receiving copy-on-write (COW) data from the disk peripheral and means for storing the COW data in the original data cache; a backup utility having means for receiving data commands to the disk peripheral, means for receiving data from the disk peripheral and means for sending data to the tape peripheral; and a read utility having means for receiving data from the disk peripheral in response to a read command from the backup utility; means for comparing the disk peripheral address of the received data with disk peripheral addresses of COW data; means for providing data to the backup utility; and means for selecting the data to be provided to the backup utility form either the data received from the disk peripheral and the COW data stored in the original data cache.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
218 words
A data processing system comprising: a host computer; a disk peripheral connected to the host computer and having an internal processor; a tape peripheral; a backup computer, connected to the disk peripheral and the tape peripheral, for making a snapshot copy on the tape peripheral of at least a portion of the data on the disk peripheral while the host computer continues to have access to the data on the disk peripheral, the backup computer including an original data cache; a data cache utility having means for receiving copy-on-write (COW) data from the disk peripheral and means for storing the COW data in the original data cache; a backup utility having means for receiving data commands to the disk peripheral, means for receiving data from the disk peripheral and means for sending data to the tape peripheral; and a read utility having means for receiving data from the disk peripheral in response to a read command from the backup utility; means for comparing the disk peripheral address of the received data with disk peripheral addresses of COW data; means for providing data to the backup utility; and means for selecting the data to be provided to the backup utility form either the data received from the disk peripheral and the COW data stored in the original data cache.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
75 words
The system of claim 10 or 11 wherein the backup computer further comprises: a map of the original data cache; means for storing in the map the disk peripheral address of the COW data in the map; and means for assigning and storing in the map a pointer to the COW data in the original data cache means for checking the map for stored addresses matching the addresses of data received from the disk peripheral.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
49 words
The data processing system of claim 12, wherein, for each address requested by the backup utility, the means for selecting selects the received data if no corresponding address if found in the map and selects the original data cache data if a corresponding address is found in the map.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the data cache utility further includes means for checking the map prior to storing COW data in the original data cache and storing the data in the original data cache only if the map indicates that data from the same disk peripheral address is not already stored in the original data cache.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the data cache utility further includes means for storing a state field in the map for each COW entry, said state field indicating that the corresponding COW data in the original data cache either has been or has not been selected by the read utility selecting means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the read utility further includes means for modifying the contents of the state field when the read utility selects the COW data associated with that state field from the original data cache.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the means for assigning the pointer includes means for reassigning a previously assigned pointer if the state field associated with the previously assigned pointer indicates that the COW data associated with that pointer has been selected by the read utility selecting means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-06-27 | 2003-12-27 | 2004-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-06-27 | 2007-12-27 | 2008-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-06-27 | 2011-12-27 | 2012-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |