Template-based remote/local file selection techniques for modular backup and migration

Abstract

File selection techniques that can handle overlapping module contexts provide flexible and reversible backup, restore, migration, deployment and synchronization operations. Both remote (administrative) control and local (user) control of the file selection are provided. Application and configuration specific templates are provided to a user from the remote administrator for further customization by selecting or de-selecting configurations, applications and / or individual files or configuration entries. The templates may be controlled geographically by the IP address or identity associated with the user. A user's interaction with the customization is saved and the order of changes is maintained, so that when the templates are updated, the user's customizations can be re-applied. The administrator may override user settings based on rules, which may also be geographically determined. The file selection may also be altered based on media type and location, e.g., local backup vs. server backup.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention is related to computer management software, and more particularly to template-based file selection techniques providing remote / local file selection for modular backup and migration.[0003]2. Description of Related Art[0004]Application and operating system backup and migration tools, as well as other tools such as synchronization mechanisms provide file selection interfaces for selecting sets of files and configuration entries for backup, restore, synchronization, deployment and migration of applications and system components. On a workstation level, a user or administrator typically selects or de-selects directory tree levels and / or individual files to include in a backup, migration or synchronization session. The configuration is typically saved at the location of the backup program, whether located at a central local-area network backup point, or on the individual workstation. More recent systems ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Applications generally have large numbers of files and configuration entries that make it difficult for a user or administrator to select just the files associated with an application.

It would be desirable for an administrator or end user to easily select files associated with an application, in order to accomplish the above-listed tasks without having to generate a list of files themselves, which in some cases is a tedious and time-consuming task requiring a high level of skill and often a large amount of trial-and-error or sophisticated analysis.

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