Prioritization of data items for backup in a computing environment

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having executable instructions stored thereon for causing components of a computing environment to perform a method, wherein the computing environment has at least one client coupled to a backup system, the method comprising:

• performing an initial backup process of an initial backup list of a first client at a preliminary backup rate, wherein said initial backup list includes at least one initial backup item;
• adding items modified during performance of said initial backup process of said first client as continuous data protection (CDP) items on a CDP list of said first client;
• while performing said initial backup process of said initial backup list of said first client, determining if said CDP list of said first client includes at least one CDP item that has been modified during performance of said initial backup process of said first client;
• throttling said initial backup process of said initial backup list of said first client below said preliminary backup rate in response to determining that said CDP list includes at least one CDP item that has been modified during performance of said initial backup process of said first client, wherein said throttling said initial backup process comprises at least one of pausing said initial backup process of said initial backup list of said first client and slowing said initial backup process of said initial backup list of said first client below said preliminary backup rate;
• performing a CDP backup of said at least one CDP item that has been modified during performance of said initial backup process client while said initial backup process of said initial backup list of said first client is below said preliminary backup rate.

A computing environment comprising:

• at least one client coupled to a backup system, wherein said at least one client includes a first client, and said first client includes a processor and a memory coupled to said processor;
• said memory including computer-readable instructions implemented by said processor to:
• perform an initial backup process of an initial backup list of a first client at a preliminary backup rate, wherein said initial backup list includes at least one initial backup item;
• add items modified during performance of said initial backup process of said first client as continuous data protection (CDP) items on a CDP list of said first client;
• while performing said initial backup process of said initial backup list of said first client, determine if said CDP list of said first client includes at least one CDP item that has been modified during performance of said initial backup process of said first client;
• throttle said initial backup process of said initial backup list of said first client below said preliminary backup rate in response to a determination that said CDP list includes at least one CDP item that has been modified during performance of said initial backup process of said first client, wherein said throttle of said initial backup process comprises at least one of pausing said initial backup process of said initial backup list of said first client and slowing said initial backup process of said initial backup list of said first client below said preliminary backup rate;
• perform a CDP backup of said at least one CDP item that has been modified during performance of said initial backup process client while said initial backup process of said initial backup list of said first client is below said preliminary backup rate.