Patent ID: 7693889

Claim:
A method of performing a backup, comprising: using a processor to back up a first set of data associated with a second set of data, wherein the second set of data comprises one or more items of managed content; making the first set of data available for use for content management functions before backing up the second set of data, wherein the first set of data comprises metadata used for content management functions to manage said one or more items of managed content; and using a processor to back up the second set of data within a prescribed interval after completing the backup of the first set of data and after the first set of data has been made available for use, wherein: the prescribed interval is determined at least in part by a maximum permissible amount of inconsistency between the first and second sets of data; backing up the first set of data and backing up the second set of data are performed in a manner that enables the first set and the second set to be restored in a recoverable state of consistency; and the recoverable state of consistency allows the second set to contain data not associated with the first set but does not allow the first set to inconsistently reference data not contained in the second set.