Method and system for managing data slice backups based on grouping prioritization

A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer readable program code, which when executed by a computer processor enables the computer processor to perform a method for backing up a file system, the method comprising:

• identifying, by a first computing device, a backup generation event associated with a file system stored in a network-attached storage;
• in response to identifying the backup generation event:
• initiating performance of pre-backup tasks to obtain a snapshot of the file system and a slice list associated with the file system, wherein:
• the snapshot and the slice list are generated and provided by a second computing device based on a request sent by the first computing device, and
• the second computing device is connected to the first computing device via a network;
• assigning priorities to slice groups specified by the slice list based on priority criteria;
• distributing backup jobs associated with the slice groups to available proxy hosts based on the priorities;
• initiating performance of the backup jobs on the available proxy hosts, wherein:
• the available proxy hosts generate backups of the slice groups by storing copies of the slice groups in backup storage based on requests obtained from the first computing device, and
• the available proxy hosts are connected to the first computing device via the network;
• making a determination that additional slice groups are remaining;
• and
• in response to the determination:
• adding the remaining slice groups to a slice queue, wherein the remaining slice groups are added and removed from the slice queue based on the priorities.

A system for backing up a file system, comprising:

• a plurality of proxy hosts;
• and
• a first computing device, comprising a processor and memory, programmed to:
• identify a backup generation event associated with a file system stored in a network-attached storage;
• in response to identifying the backup generation event:
• initiate performance of pre-backup tasks to obtain a snapshot of the file system and a slice list associated with the file system, wherein:
• the snapshot and the slice list are generated and provided by a second computing device based on a request sent by the first computing device, and
• the second computing device is connected to the first computing device via a network;
• assign priorities to slice groups specified by the slice list based on priority criteria;
• distribute backup jobs associated with the slice groups to available proxy hosts of the plurality of proxy hosts based on the priorities;
• initiate performance of the backup jobs on the available proxy hosts, wherein:
• the available proxy hosts generate backups of the slice groups by storing copies of the slice groups in backup storage based on requests obtained from the first computing device, and
• the available proxy hosts are connected to the first computing device via the network;
• make a determination that additional slice groups are remaining;
• and
• in response to the determination:
• add the remaining slice groups to a slice queue, wherein the remaining slice groups are added and removed from the slice queue based on the priorities.