Patent ID: 6647399
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for performing a backup operation of a target file, comprising:initiating at least one operation to perform at least one delta backup of the target file to at least one delta backup set, wherein the at least one delta backup set includes changes made to a version of a full backup set of the target file generated at a first time; assigning the at least one delta backup set a name component indicating the version of the full backup set generated at the first time subject to the delta backup; initiating an operation to perform a full backup of the target file to a version of the full backup set at a second time, wherein the second time follows the first time, and wherein generating the full backup set of the target file at the second time renders inactive the full backup set generated at the first time; and upon rendering inactive the full backup set generated at the first time, determining all delta backup sets having the name component indicating the version of the full backup set generated at the first time during the full backup operation at the second time; and initiating an operation to render inactive the determined delta backup sets having the name component indicating the version of the full backup generated at the first time, wherein the inactive delta backup sets may be expired, and wherein the delta backup sets are inactivated at a same time as the full backup set generated at the first time is inactivated.