Method for managing real-time data history of a file system

Abstract

A data management method is provided for storing a real-time history of a file system, or a component thereof, such as a directory or a file. The real-time history is stored as an object-oriented logical representation comprising at least a set of version metadata objects, and a set of one or more links that associate given objects of the set of version metadata objects. As one or more events occur in the real-time history, the logical representation is restructured dynamically. The logical representation is useful to provide any point-in-time reconstruction of the file system component on an as-needed basis.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 11 / 123,994, filed May 6, 2005, which application was based on and claimed priority to U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 569,164, filed May 7, 2004. RELATED APPLICATIONS [0002] This application is related to the following commonly-owned applications: [0003] Ser. No. 10 / 841,398, filed May 7, 2004, titled “Method and system for automated, no downtime, real-time, continuous data protection,”[0004] Ser. No. 10 / 842,286, filed May 10, 2004, titled “Method and system for real-time event journaling to provide enterprise data services,”[0005] Ser. No. 10 / 863,117, filed Jun. 8, 2004, titled “Method and system for no downtime, real-time, continuous data protection,”[0006] Ser. No. 10 / 862,971, filed Jun. 8, 2004, titled “Method and system for no downtime, resynchronization for real-time, continuous data protection,”[0007] Ser. No. 11 / 185,313, filed Jul. 20, 2005, titled “Method and system for virtual on-demand recovery for real-time, continuous d...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0020] The object-oriented logical representation is advantageous as it provides an efficient way to index a real-time history of changing data in a file system. This representation preferably is constructed over a database, such as a relational database, a raw file system, or any other set of one or more storage devices.

Problems solved by technology

A critical information technology (IT) problem is how to cost-effectively deliver network wide data protection and rapid data recovery.

The “code red” virus alone cost an estimated $2.8 B in downtime, data loss, and recovery.

The reason for these staggering costs is simple—traditional schedule based tape and in-storage data protection and recovery approaches can no longer keep pace with rapid data growth, geographically distributed operations, and the real time requirements of 24×7×265 enterprise data centers.

Yet, without data availability, applications cannot be available.

The overhead and data management maze that existing approaches bring to the network, storage, tape, and application infrastructure has caused increasing expenditures with little tangible returns for the enterprise.

Worse, manual recovery techniques compound the problem with the same issues that cause downtime in the first place—human errors and process issues constitute 80% of unplanned downtime.

As a result, businesses are enduring high costs, high risk, and a constant drag on productivity.

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