Patent ID: 7752171

Claim:
A method for deciding whether a specific file on a target computer should be backed up to a central storage system, said method comprising: computing a specific hashing key from the content of said specific file; verifying if said specific hashing key is already present in a local database, wherein, for each computer file on said target computer which has been previously backed up, said local database comprises a record including a local file path in said target computer where said computer file should be restored, said file path being associated with said file hashing key; if a file whose name comprises the specific hashing key has not already been backed up to the central storage system, backing up said specific file by performing the steps of: creating a backup file which is a duplicate of said specific file; renaming said backup file to said specific hashing key; storing said renamed backup file in said central storage system; and storing an indication that a file whose name comprises the specific hashing key has been backed up to the central storage system; and if a file whose name comprises the specific hashing key has already been backed up to the central storage system, not backing up said specific file in said central storage system.