Efficient off-host backup of a file set clone

A system comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions executable to:
• receive a start location and an end location for a set of contiguous storage locations of a storage device, wherein
• the set of contiguous storage locations stores portions of a plurality of files;
• receive physical location information for the portions of the plurality of files stored in the set of contiguous storage locations on the storage device;
• and
• sequentially read data from the set of contiguous storage locations for subsequent storage in a backup storage device in response to receiving the start location, the end location and the physical location information.

A computer-readable medium comprising:

• instructions to receive a start location and an end location for a set of contiguous storage locations of a storage device, wherein
• the set of contiguous storage locations stores portions of a plurality of files;
• instructions to receive physical location information for the portions of the plurality of files stored in the set of contiguous storage locations on the storage device;
• and
• instructions to sequentially read data from the set of contiguous storage locations for subsequent storage in a backup storage device in response to receiving the start location, the end location and the physical location information.

A method comprising:

• generating information about a first node, wherein
• the first node comprises a storage device, and
• the information identifies:
• a start location and an end location for a set of contiguous storage locations of the storage device, wherein the set of contiguous storage locations stores a portion of a clone file set of an active file set;
• a plurality of files having data stored in the set of contiguous storage locations;
• and
• for at least one location of the set of contiguous storage locations, which file owns data stored therein;
• and
• sending the information to a second node, wherein the second node comprises a reader that sequentially copies data from the contiguous storage locations of the storage device in response to the reader receiving the start location, the end location.