Method and apparatus for dynamically backing up database files
AssigneeSymantec Operating Corporation
InventorsMilin Desai, Michael Payne
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for backing up a storage system, e.g., one or more disk drives. In one embodiment, an apparatus utilizes a volume snapshot service (VSS) to create a snapshot image file of a computer's storage system and then subsequently reads the data blocks contained in the snapshot image file. A determination of the number of modified data blocks, i.e., the data blocks that have changed since a last backup operation, is made. The apparatus estimates a backup size from the number of modified data blocks and subsequently determines if the estimated backup size exceeds a predetermined threshold. In the event the predetermined threshold is exceeded, a backup operation is conducted.
Claims22
A method for backing up a storage system storing a database, comprising:
- utilizing a volume snapshot service (VSS) to create a snapshot image file of said storage system, wherein
- said snapshot image file includes a copy of said database created without invoking database activity, and
- said snapshot image file contains a SQL bitmap;
- reading data blocks of said copy of said database in said snapshot image file;
- ascertaining a number of modified data blocks, wherein
- said modified data blocks are said data blocks that have changed since a last backup operation,
- said ascertaining comprises contrasting said SQL bitmap to an original bitmap to determine said number of said modified data blocks, and
- said original bitmap represents data blocks from said last backup operation;
- estimating a backup size from said number of said modified data blocks;
- determining if said backup size exceeds a predetermined threshold at or below which no backup operation is to be conducted;
- and
- conducting a backup operation in the event said predetermined threshold has been exceeded.
An apparatus for backing up a storage system in a computer where said storage system is storing a database, comprising:
- means for utilizing a volume snapshot service (VSS) to create a snapshot image file of said storage system, wherein
- said snapshot image file includes a copy of said database created without invoking database activity, and
- said snapshot image file contains a SQL bitmap;
- means for reading data blocks of said copy of said database in said snapshot image file;
- means for ascertaining a number of modified data blocks, wherein
- said modified data blocks are said data blocks that have changed since a last backup operation,
- said ascertaining comprises contrasting said SQL bitmap to an original bitmap to determine said number of said modified data blocks, and
- said original bitmap represents data blocks from said last backup operation;
- means for estimating a backup size from said number of said modified data blocks;
- means for determining if said backup size exceeds a predetermined threshold at or below which no backup operation is to be conducted;
- and
- means for conducting a backup operation in the event said predetermined threshold has been exceeded.
A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing program instructions executable to:
- utilize a volume snapshot service (VSS) to create a snapshot image file of said storage system, wherein
- said snapshot image file includes a copy of said database created without invoking database activity, and
- said snapshot image file contains a SQL bitmap;
- read data blocks of said copy of said database in said snapshot image file;
- ascertain a number of modified data blocks, wherein
- said modified data blocks are said data blocks that have changed since a last backup operation,
- ascertaining said number of modified data blocks comprises contrasting said SQL bitmap to an original bitmap to determine said number of said modified data blocks, and
- said original bitmap represents data blocks from said last backup operation;
- estimate a backup size from said number of said modified data blocks;
- determine if said backup size exceeds a predetermined threshold at or below which no backup operation is to be conducted;
- and
- conduct a backup operation in the event said predetermined threshold has been exceeded.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.