Systems and methods for dynamic data backup

In a database mirroring network that includes a first database server, a second database server, and a backup server, a method for locating a database to be backed up comprising:

• receiving a database status request from the backup server;
• responding to the database status request by locating a table entry concerning a database associated with one of the first database server or the second database server;
• identifying status information of the associated database using the table entry;
• and
• transmitting, to the backup server, the status information concerning the associated database, wherein the status information specifies at least whether the database is one of a live database or a mirror database, the method being performed notwithstanding any ongoing changes in the designations of the live and mirror databases.

A computer program product for implementing a method for backing up a database in a network that includes a live database and a mirror database, and client machines, the computer program product comprising:

• a computer readable medium carrying computer executable instructions for performing a method, wherein the method comprises:
• sending a request to one of the client machines for obtaining status information of a database associated with the client machine to which the request is directed;
• receiving, from the client machine, the status information that identifies a location of the live database;
• and
• backing up the live database using the status information that identifies the location of the live database, notwithstanding any ongoing changes in the designation of the live database.