One embodiment is a method for providing incremental backups for a source computing
machine, the method including: (a) creating a first
backup snapshot including a
virtual machine (VM) snapshot of an initial copy of a source computing
machine volume, wherein said VM snapshot includes a
timestamp and a first
redo log file; (b) reconfiguring and customizing said first
backup snapshot to create a first bootable VM, writing changes associated with said reconfiguring and customizing into said first
redo log file, then creating a first bootable snapshot including a VM snapshot of said first bootable VM, wherein said VM snapshot of said first bootable VM includes a
timestamp for said first bootable VM and a
redo log file; (c) performing an incremental update of said first
backup snapshot or a subsequent backup snapshot, then creating a subsequent backup snapshot including a VM snapshot of said incremental update, wherein said VM snapshot of said incremental update includes a
timestamp for said incremental update and a redo log file; and (d) reconfiguring and customizing said subsequent backup snapshot to create a subsequent bootable VM, then creating a subsequent bootable snapshot including a VM snapshot of said subsequent bootable VM, wherein said VM snapshot of said subsequent bootable VM includes a timestamp for said subsequent bootable VM and a redo log file.