US 2003/0158862 A1 · Standby file system with snapshot feature

Abstract

A system, method and computer readable medium for providing a standby file system with snapshot feature is disclosed. A first snapshot of a primary file system is generated. Next, a standby file system restores the first snapshot of the primary file system in the standby file system and a snapshot of the standby file system is taken. Then, a second snapshot of the primary file system is taken and a data set capturing the differences between the first snapshot of the primary file system and a previous data set of the primary file system is generated. Subsequently, the data set is applied to the standby file system. Upon unavailability of the primary file system, the standby file system is initialized as the new primary file system. Upon recovery of the old primary file system, the old primary file system is initialized as a new standby file system.

Claims34

Dependent claims

A method for providing a standby file system, comprising the steps of:

generating a first snapshot of a first file system, wherein the first file system is a primary file system;
restoring in a second file system the first snapshot, wherein the second file system is a standby file system;
generating a first snapshot of the second file system;
generating a second snapshot of the first file system;
generating a data set of the first file system, wherein the data set includes the changes that have occurred in the first file system between the most recent snapshot of the first file system and a previous data set of the first file system which was applied to the second file system;
applying the data set in the second file system;
generating a second snapshot of the second file system;
periodically executing the third generating step, fourth generating step, the applying step and the fifth generating step.

5 more elements

A computer readable medium including computer instructions for providing a standby file system, the computer instructions comprising instructions for:

generating a first snapshot of the second file system;
generating a second snapshot of the first file system;
generating a data set of the first file system, wherein the data set includes the changes that have occurred in the first file system between the most recent snapshot of the first file system and a previous data set of the first file system which was applied to the second file system;
applying the data set in the second file system;
generating a second snapshot of the second file system;
periodically executing the third generating instructions, fourth generating instructions, the applying instructions and the fifth generating instructions.

3 more elements

A system for providing a standby file system, comprising:

means for generating a first snapshot of a first file system, wherein the first file system is a primary file system;
means for restoring in a second file system the first snapshot, wherein the second file system is a standby file system;
means for generating a first snapshot of the second file system;
means for generating a second snapshot of the first file system;
means for generating a data set of the first file system, wherein the data set includes the changes that have occurred in the first file system between the most recent snapshot of the first file system and previous data set of the first file system which was applied to the second file system;
means for applying the data set in the second file system;
means for generating a second snapshot of the second file system;
means for periodically executing the third means for generating, fourth means for generating, the means for applying and the fifth means for generating.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Standby file system with snapshot feature

Life of this patent

Standby file system with snapshot feature

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims34