Patent ID: 7739352
Filing Date: 2010-06-15
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. An automated method of facilitating a consistent point-in-time copy of a set of data, the method comprising: receiving from an issuing client a request to perform a point-in-time copy of a specified dataset; requesting a set of clients, including the issuing client, to flush updates to the dataset that were pending as of a specified consistency point, wherein flushing updates involves each client in the set of clients returning any updates for files or other data objects that were outstanding prior to the consistency point in response to the request; receiving from a first client a first notification that the flushing of pending updates has been completed; deferring one or more updates to the dataset that were generated after said consistency point; and if notifications of completion of the flushing of pending updates are not received from each client in the set of clients within a threshold period of time, determining whether to abort the point-in-time copy, wherein determining whether to abort the point-in-time copy involves continuing with the point-in-time copy if each client from which a notification is not received within the threshold period of time is determined to be progressing toward consistency by flushing pending updates.