Patent ID: 6026414
Filing Date: 2000-02-15
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for backing up files in a distributed computing system, comprising the steps of:maintaining, with a file server, files in a shared name space, wherein a first backup client program and a second backup client program are capable of accessing files in the shared name space via the file server;initiating a backup request with the first backup client program to backup a requested file;determining whether the requested file is maintained in the shared name space,transmitting the backup request from the first backup client program to the second backup client program upon determining that the requested file is maintained in the shared name space;transmitting a message with the second backup client program to the file server to provide the requested file;transmitting the requested file with the file server to the second backup client program;transmitting with the second backup client program the requested file to a backup server program; andstoring with the backup server program the requested file in a storage device.