Method and system for providing direct access recovery using seekable tape device
AssigneeMirapoint, Inc.
InventorDaniel D. McNeil
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for backing up data in a computer system from a plurality of primary data sources to a secondary data source is provided. The method comprises copying data sections from the plurality of primary data sources to the secondary data source and providing a data pointer on the secondary data source. The data pointer indicates a starting point of each transfer from the plurality of primary data sources and where that starting point is on the secondary data source. This data pointer information provides the minimum information necessary to map a location from the primary data source(s) to its location on the secondary data source.
Claims15
A method for backing up data in a computer system from a plurality of primary data sources to a secondary data source, the method comprising:
- copying data sections from the plurality of primary data sources, in an order provided by the plurality of primary data sources, to the secondary data source;
- and
- providing a data pointer on the secondary data source regarding a starting point of each data section from the plurality of primary data sources.
A method of restoring a data file from a secondary data source to a primary data source, the method comprising:
- reading a data pointer on the secondary data source, wherein the data pointer includes first information regarding an identification node of the data file and an offset on the secondary data source, the offset indicating a start of a first data section including the identification node;
- accessing the identification node using the offset;
- using second information in the identification node to identify a data block associated with the data file;
- accessing the data block using the first and second information;
- and
- copying the data file from the secondary data source to the primary data source.
A tape drive for backing up and restoring at least one file for a data source, the tape drive comprising:
- a data pointer including:
- a location for each data section created during a backup from the data source, the location indicating a starting point on the tape drive;
- and
- a reference to any identification node provided on the tape, wherein each identification node is associated with one data section, and wherein each identification node includes information regarding a file.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.