Computer implemented method for automatically managing stored checkpoint data

A computer system comprising:

• a processor;
• a bus coupled to said processor;
• a memory coupled to said bus for storing instructions that when executed by the processor implements a method of managing stored checkpoint data, said method comprising:
• accessing a first user defined time period, wherein said first user defined time period is related to ages of a plurality of stored checkpoint data, and wherein each checkpoint data of said plurality of stored checkpoint data has an associated storage time;
• identifying a first set of checkpoint data having storage times that are within said first user defined time period;
• identifying a second set of checkpoint data having storage times that are older than said first user defined time period;
• and
• automatically pruning said second set of checkpoint data according to a user specified process in proportion to storage time of each checkpoint data of said second set of checkpoint data, wherein older stored checkpoint data is more heavily pruned over recently stored checkpoint data.

A computer readable medium having stored therein instructions that when executed by a processor implements a method of managing stored checkpoint data, said method comprising:

• accessing a first user defined time period, wherein said first user defined time period is related to ages of a plurality of stored checkpoint data, and wherein each checkpoint data of said plurality of stored checkpoint data has an associated storage time;
• identifying a first set of checkpoint data having storage times that are within said first user defined time period;
• identifying a second set of checkpoint data having storage times that are older than said first user defined time period;
• and
• automatically pruning said second set of checkpoint data according to a user specified process in proportion to storage time of each checkpoint data of said second set of checkpoint data, wherein older stored checkpoint data is more heavily pruned over recently stored checkpoint data.