Apparatus and methods for copying, backing up, and restoring data using a ...

(54) APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR

COPYING, BACKING UP, AND RESTORING
DATA USING A BACKUP SEGMENT SIZE
LARGER THAN THE STORAGE BLOCK
SIZE

(75) Inventors: Yuval Ofek, Framingham, MA (US);

Zoran Cakeljic, Newton, MA (US);
Samuel Krikler, Ramat HaSharon (IL);
Sharon Galtzur, Holon (IL); Michael
Hirsch, Mazkeret Batya (IL); Dan
Arnon, Boston, MA (US); Peter
Kamvysselis, Boston, MA (US)

(73) Assignee: EMC Corporation, Hopkinton, MA
(US)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ol this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

(21) Appl. No.: 09/224,896

(22) Filed: Dec. 31, 1998

(51) Int. CI.7 G06F 17/30; G06F 12/00;

G06F 15/00; H02H 3/05

(52) U.S. CI 707/204; 707/200; 707/201;

707/202; 707/203; 714/20; 714/15; 714/17;

711/162; 712/228

(58) Field of Search 707/204, 202;

714/15, 17, 20; 711/162; 712/228

(56) References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

Method and apparatus for copying, transferring, backing up and restoring data are disclosed. The data can be copied, backed up or restored in segments sizes larger than the data blocks which comprise a logical object. In some embodiments, the segment can correspond to a track of a primary storage device and the data blocks to a fixed size block. In some instances, copying, storage and transfer of the segments which include multiple data blocks can result in transfer of a data block not in a logical object.

21 Claims, 35 Drawing Sheets