Patent ID: 6415300
Filing Date: 2002-07-02
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for performing a backup to specified backup media of certain data to be backed up which is stored on one or more disk or other random access data storage devices, said data to be backed up being organized in files or other data aggregations, and such device or devices having a working directory containing information on where the data comprising said files or other groups of data are physically stored on said random access storage device or devices, said method comprising:a) prior to reading any of said data to be backed up, reading said working directory to determine all of the blocks associated with the set of files or other data aggregations for backup; prior to reading any of said data to be backed up b) ordering the block numbers read from said working directory, thereby determining a sequential order for reading from said random access storage device or devices the data to be backed up; c) reading the data to be backed up from said random access storage device or devices in accordance with said determined sequential order, and writing said data to the backup media; and d) storing on the backup media, or on other suitable media, a catalog comprising organizational information specifying where the data comprising said files or data aggregations within the backed up data set are physically stored on said backup media.