Selective file and folder snapshot image creation
AssigneeSymantec Corporation
InventorVal A. Arbon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Tools and techniques are provided for using a snapshot, not a full volume copy, to preserve deleted items when creating an image file with other items from a computer storage volume. One method classifies items as desired or not, enables snapshotting, then deletes undesired items, then creates a blockwise volume image in which the deleted items are not imaged, and finally disables snapshotting. Systems and configured storage media for imaging selected files and folders are also provided.
Claims29
A method for using a snapshot and creating an image file that holds selected items found on a computer-readable storage volume, without permanently removing data from the volume, the method comprising the steps of:
- identifying at least one desired item which is located on the storage volume;
- enabling a snapshot of at least a portion of the storage volume which includes the desired item;
- after said enabling step, deleting at least one item other than the desired item;
- after said deleting step, imaging the desired item into an image, the image not containing the deleted item(s) by reason of said deleting step;
- and
- after said imaging step, releasing snapshot resources.
A method for using a snapshot, rather than a full volume copy, to preserve selected items when creating an image file with items from a computer storage volume, the method comprising the steps of:
- classifying each item on at least a specified portion of the storage volume as being either a desired item or else an undesired item;
- enabling a snapshot of the storage volume which includes the desired item, thereby providing a snapshot view of the storage volume;
- selecting a desired item in the snapshot view of the storage volume;
- and
- imaging the desired item from the snapshot view of the storage volume into an image.
A method for using a snapshot when creating an image file of selected items stored in a volume readable by a computer, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing input which permits a computer program to classify each item on the volume as being either a desired item or else an undesired item;
- causing the computer to enable a snapshot of the volume which includes all desired items, thereby providing a snapshot view of the volume;
- causing the computer to delete all undesired items from the snapshot view of the volume;
- causing creation of an image that is made by imaging the desired items only (no undesired items) from the snapshot view of the volume;
- and
- causing the computer to disable the snapshot, after which the undesired items are visible on the volume.
A system for creating an image file with selected files, comprising:
- a computer storage volume holding files;
- identification means for obtaining an identification of files of the storage volume, said identification means distinguishing desired files from undesired files;
- snapshot means for tracking changes to the storage volume, said snapshot means preserving a copy of data that is changed while said snapshot means is enabled and doing so without requiring a copy of all data of the storage volume, said snapshot means further providing a snapshot view of the storage volume;
- selection means for selecting desired files through the snapshot view of the storage volume;
- and
- image means for imaging files, corresponding file system data, and other volume system data, by imaging from the snapshot view of the storage volume into an image;
- wherein said means collectively comprise computer hardware and computer software running on that hardware.
A system comprising:
- a storage volume holding files and system data structures, the files including user data stored in user data blocks, the system data structures including system data stored in system data blocks;
- a block-level I/O subsystem comprising a driver for reading and writing blocks of data from and to storage volume locations;
- a snapshot subsystem comprising a block list identifying new storage locations of preserved data from blocks which have been overwritten with other data since a snapshot was enabled, the snapshot subsystem also comprising a snapshot driver which maintains the block list and which uses the block list when determining which block storage locations to access during I/O operations;
- a filesystem I/O subsystem which presents applications with tools for file-level operations;
- a user view of the storage volume provided through at least the filesystem I/O subsystem and the block-level I/O subsystem, which presents information about files in their present state as opposed to their state at the time a snapshot became enabled;
- a snapshot view of the storage volume provided through the filesystem I/O subsystem, the snapshot subsystem, and the block-level I/O subsystem to present information about files in a state other than their present state;
- a desired item identification which distinguishes desired files from undesired files;
- a modifier configured to modify files in one of said views;
- and
- an imaging program configured to create an image of the storage volume corresponding to the view in which the modifier modifies files.
A computer-readable storage medium configured by software for performing a method comprising the steps of:
- classifying items stored in a storage volume to distinguish desired items from undesired items based on user input;
- freezing the storage volume;
- enabling snapshotting of the storage volume;
- unfreezing the storage volume after enabling snapshotting;
- mounting a snapshot view of the storage volume;
- deleting undesired items from the mounted snapshot view;
- creating at least one image of the storage volume via the mounted snapshot view after deleting undesired items;
- unmounting the mounted snapshot view after creating the image(s);
- and
- disabling snapshotting after creating the image(s).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.