Method, system, and program for backing up objects by creating groups of objects

A method for grouping backup objects stored in backup storage, comprising:

• creating a backup group;
• adding backup objects to a first backup group by adding an entry to a database for each backup object, wherein the entry indicates the backup object and the first backup group in which the backup object is a member;
• adding one backup object to a second backup group that was previously added to the first backup group by updating the entry of the backup object to indicate the second backup group;
• and
• storing the backup objects in the backup storage when adding the backup objects to the first backup group, wherein the backup object is not stored in the backup storage when adding the backup object to the second backup group.

A system for grouping backup objects stored in backup storage, comprising:

• means for creating a backup group;
• means for adding a plurality of backup objects that originate from different backup clients as members of the backup group in separate backup transactions by adding an entry to a database for each backup object, wherein the entry identifies the backup object and the backup group in which the backup object is a member;
• and
• means for storing backup objects added to the backup group to the backup storage.

A system for grouping backup objects stored in backup storage, comprising:

• means for creating a plurality of backup groups;
• means for adding backup objects to a first backup group by adding an entry to a database for each backup object, wherein the entry indicates the backup object and the first backup group in which the backup object is a member;
• means for adding one backup object to a second backup group that was previously added to the first backup group by updating the entry of the backup object to indicate the second backup group;
• and
• means for storing the backup objects in the backup storage when adding the backup objects to the first backup group, wherein the backup object is not stored in the backup storage when adding the backup object to the second backup group.

An article of manufacture for grouping backup objects stored in backup storage, wherein the article of manufacture is capable of causing operations to be performed, the operations comprising:

• creating a backup group;
• adding a plurality of backup objects that originate from different backup clients as members of the backup group in separate backup transactions by adding an entry to a database for each backup object, wherein the entry identifies the backup object and the backup group in which the backup object is a member;
• and
• storing backup objects added to the backup group to the backup storage.

An article of manufacture for grouping backup objects stored in backup storage, wherein the article of manufacture is capable of causing operations to be performed, the operations comprising:

• creating a plurality of backup groups;
• adding backup objects to a first backup group by adding an entry to a database for each backup object, wherein the entry indicates the backup object and the first backup group in which the backup object is a member;
• adding one backup object to a second backup group that was previously added to the first backup group by updating the entry of the backup object to indicate the second backup group;
• and
• storing the backup objects in the backup storage when adding the backup objects to the first backup group, wherein the backup object is not stored in the backup storage when adding the backup object to the second backup group.