US 7,328,366 B2 · Method and system for reciprocal data backup

Abstract

Methods and systems for a reciprocal backup of data, including files, directories, and application data are provided. Example embodiments provide a Reciprocal Backup System (“RBS”), which enables users of two or more computer systems connected over a network to engage each other for automated reciprocal backup needs using peer-to-peer computing techniques. The peer computer systems negotiate a reciprocal backup relationship where each provides the other with backup storage in a secure fashion. The intermittent nature of some partners is handled automatically by the RBS, which supports fully automated and scheduled backups as well as immediate backup and restoration of data objects. In one embodiment, the RBS comprises reciprocal backup system partner support and one or more storage repositories. The RBS partner support includes a reciprocal backup manager and scheduler and a reciprocal backup agent. These components cooperate to provide the backup and restoration operations of the RBS.

Claims241

Dependent claims

A peer-to-peer reciprocal backup system in a network of computer systems, comprising:

an originating computer system that is structured to:
establish a reciprocal backup relationship with one of the computer systems, the relationship specifying an amount of backup storage for backups of data from the originating computer system on the one of the computer systems and an amount of reciprocal backup storage available on the originating computer system for storing backups of data from the one of the computer systems;
transmit data to the one of the computer systems to be backed up according to the established reciprocal backup relationship;
and
receive data from the one of the computer systems to be backed up according to the established reciprocal backup relationship;
a depository computer system that is structured to:
participate as the one of the computer systems in establishing the reciprocal backup relationship with the originating computer system;
receive data from the originating computer system to be backed up according to the established reciprocal backup relationship;
and
transmit data to the originating computer system to be backed up according to the established reciprocal backup relationship.

7 more elements

A software interface expressed as instructions stored in a computer-readable memory medium of an originating computer system for causing a computer processor to manage peer-to-peer reciprocal backup relationships in a network of computer systems, comprising:

an originating partner portion that, when executed by a computer processor, establishes a reciprocal backup relationship that specifies an amount of backup storage for storing data from the originating computer system on a one of the computer systems and an amount of reciprocal backup storage available on the originating computer system for storing data from the one of the computer systems;
and
transmits data to be backed up on the one of the computer systems according to the established reciprocal backup relationship;
and
a depository partner portion that, when executed by a computer processor, receives data to be backed up according to the established reciprocal backup relationship;
and
causes the received data to be stored.

4 more elements

A computer-readable memory medium containing instructions for controlling a computer processor to automatically restore backup data to an originating computer system, the backup data stored according to a plurality of reciprocal backup relationships, by:

determining a portion of data to be restored from a first depository partner computer system, the portion of the data backed up according to an established reciprocal backup relationship with the first depository partner;
determining a second portion of data to be restored from a second depository partner computer system, the second portion of data backed up according to an established reciprocal backup relationship with the second depository partner;
requesting the determined portion of data from the first depository partner;
requesting the determined second portion of data from the second depository partner;
and
receiving and restoring the determined portion and the determined second portion to effectuate restoration of the backup data;
wherein the portion of the data to be restored and the second portion of the data to be restored comprise a complete restoration of data of the originating computer system;
and
wherein the storing of the determined portion and the determined second portion to effectuate restoration of the backup data are not performed if the receiving of the determined portion and determined second portion are not completed correctly.

6 more elements

A reciprocal backup system for automatic restoration of backup data to an originating computer system, the backup data stored according to a plurality of reciprocal backup relationships, comprising:

a storage interface that communicates with at least one storage repository associated with the originating computer system;
a restoration interface that is structured to determine a portion of data to be restored from a first depository partner computer system, the portion of the data backed up according to an established reciprocal backup relationship with the first depository partner;
and
determine a second portion of data to be restored from a second depository partner computer system, the second portion of data backed up according to an established reciprocal backup relationship with the second depository partner;
and
a reciprocal backup agent that is structured to request the determined portion of data from the first depository partner;
request the determined second portion of data from the second depository partner;
receive the determined portion and the determined second portion;
and
forward the received portions to the storage interface to effectuate restoration of the backup data to the storage repository;
wherein the backup agent does not perform forwarding the received portions to effectuate restoration of the determined portion and the determined second portion if the received determined portion and determined second portion are not received correctly.

8 more elements

A peer-to-peer reciprocal backup system in a network of computer systems, comprising:

an originating computer system that is structured to:
establish a reciprocal backup relationship with pre-selected one of the computer systems identified as peers of the originating computer system, the relationship specifying an amount of backup storage for backups of data from the originating computer system on the pre selected computer systems and an amount of reciprocal backup storage available on the originating computer system for storing backups of data from the pre selected computer systems;
transmit data to the pre-selected computer systems to be backed up according to the established reciprocal backup relationship;
and
receive data from the pre selected computer systems to be backed up according to the established reciprocal backup relationship;
a depository computer systems structured to:
participate as one of the computer systems identified as peers of the originating computer system in establishing the reciprocal backup relationship with the originating computer system;
receive data from the originating computer system to be backed up according to the established reciprocal backup relationship;
and
transmit data to the originating computer system to be backed up according to the established reciprocal backup relationship.

7 more elements

A method for performing peer-to-peer reciprocal backup in a network of computer systems, comprising:

establishing a reciprocal backup relationship between an originating partner computer system (“originating partner”) and a depository partner computer system (“depository partner”), the relationship specifying an amount of backup storage for backups of data from the originating partner on the depository partner and an amount of reciprocal backup storage on the originating partner for storing backups of data from the depository partner, the depository partner pre-selected from one or more computer systems identified as peers of the originating partner;
transmitting data from the originating partner to the depository partner to be backed up according to the established reciprocal backup relationship;
storing the data transmitted from the originating partner on backup storage of the depository partner;
transmitting data from the depository partner to the originating partner to be backed up according to the established reciprocal backup relationship;
and
storing the data transmitted from the depository partner on backup storage of the originating partner.

3 more elements

A peer-to-peer reciprocal backup system in a network of computer systems, comprising:

an originating computer system that is structured to:
establish a reciprocal backup relationship with one of one or more pre-selected computer system identified as peers of the originating computer system, the relationship specifying an amount of backup storage for backups of data from the originating computer system on the one of the one or more identified computer system and an amount of reciprocal backup storage available on the originating computer system for storing backups of data from the one of the one or more identified computer system;
and
transmit data to be backed up according to the established reciprocal backup relationship;
and
a depository computer system that is structured to:
participate as the one of the one or more identified computer system in establishing the reciprocal backup relationship with the originating computer system;
and
receive data from the originating computer system to be backed up according to the established reciprocal backup relationship.

6 more elements

an originating partner portion that, when executed by a computer processor, establishes a reciprocal backup relationship that specifies an amount of backup storage for storing data from the originating computer system on one of one or more pre-selected computer systems identified as peers of the originating computer system and an amount of reciprocal backup storage available on the originating computer system for storing data from the one of the identified computer systems;
and
transmits data to be backed up on the one of the identified computer systems according to the established reciprocal backup relationship;
and
a depository partner portion that, when executed by a computer processor, receives data to be backed up according to the established reciprocal backup relationship;
and
causes the received data to be stored.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and system for reciprocal data backup

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Method and system for reciprocal data backup

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Abstract

Claims241