Patents by Inventor Peter B. Symonds

Peter B. Symonds has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9800569
    Abstract: During a data protection operation, a system exploits a virtual hierarchy to centralize the configuration and management of operating system credentials of numerous virtual guests. For each virtual guest, the system uses the credential to collect a single Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) previously generated and stored in-guest by any data protection agent. The system stores the collected GUID as a custom property in the context of the virtual hierarchy. The system also exploits the virtual hierarchy custom properties to determine if GUIDs are copies due to virtual guest replication. The system ensures GUID uniqueness by requesting regeneration of the GUID by in-guest data protection agents. Using GUIDs that are unique across the virtual hierarchy, the system can correlate application data of multiple in-guest data protection agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Edwards, Jr., Avishai H. Hochberg, Jawed Iqbal, Tai W. Nam, Joanne T. Nguyen, Neil G. Rasmussen, James P. Smith, Peter B. Symonds, Jean X. Yu
  • Publication number: 20150358309
    Abstract: A system correlates application information from within a virtual guest to an entity managing off-host data protection. During a data protection operation, the system exploits the virtual hierarchy to centralize the configuration and management of operating system credentials of numerous virtual guests. For each virtual guest, the system uses the credential to collect a single Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) previously generated and stored in-guest by any data protection agent. The system stores the collected GUID as a custom property in the context of the virtual hierarchy. The system also exploits the virtual hierarchy custom properties to determine if GUIDs are copies due to virtual guest replication. The system ensures GUID's uniqueness by requesting regeneration of the GUID by in-guest data protection agents. Using GUIDs that are unique across the virtual hierarchy, from the entity managing off-host data protection, the system can correlate application data of multiple in-guest data protection agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Robert C. Edwards, Jr., Avishai H. Hochberg, Jawed Iqbal, Tai W. Nam, Joanne T. Nguyen, Neil G. Rasmussen, James P. Smith, Peter B. Symonds, Jean X. Yu
  • Patent number: 8527479
    Abstract: Provided are computer program product, system, and method for assessing a backup image comprising a backup of a source computer system to recover to a target computer system. A point-in-time backup image is selected from a plurality of backup images taken of an image on the source computer system, wherein the selected backup is to be applied to the target computer system. A determination is made from a plurality of retention policies applicable to files included in the source computer system a most restrictive retention policy. A determination is made as to whether the selected backup image satisfies the most restrictive retention policy. A retention status of the backup image is set based on whether the determined version of the selected backup satisfies the most restrictive retention policy. The retention status is presented for use in determining whether to use the selected backup image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Surya K. Ghatty, James P. Smith, Peter B. Symonds, William R. Yonker
  • Publication number: 20130166521
    Abstract: Provided are computer program product, system, and method for assessing a backup image comprising a backup of a source computer system to recover to a target computer system. A point-in-time backup image is selected from a plurality of backup images taken of an image on the source computer system, wherein the selected backup is to be applied to the target computer system. A determination is made from a plurality of retention policies applicable to files included in the source computer system a most restrictive retention policy. A determination is made as to whether the selected backup image satisfies the most restrictive retention policy. A retention status of the backup image is set based on whether the determined version of the selected backup satisfies the most restrictive retention policy. The retention status is presented for use in determining whether to use the selected backup image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Surya K. Ghatty, James P. Smith, Peter B. Symonds, William R. Yonker
  • Publication number: 20130166511
    Abstract: A point-in-time backup image is selected from a plurality of backup images of an image on a source computer system to be applied to the target computer system. A first assessment value is associated with an extent to which critical files and recovery metadata are included in the selected backup based on an include list of critical files and recovery metadata to include in the backup. A second assessment value comprises a backup status of the critical files and the recovery metadata. A third assessment value is indicative of an extent to which the selected backup satisfies requirements of a retention policy. A fourth assessment value is indicative of an extent to which computational resources and device drivers in the target computer system are compatible. An overall assessment value for the selected backup image is determined based on the determined first, second, third, and fourth assessment values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Surya K. Ghatty, James P. Smith, Peter B. Symonds, William R. Yonker
  • Patent number: 7240171
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for ensuring consistency of a group, which for example, includes receiving a first list that identifies objects in the group, and gathering for at least one attribute, the value of the attribute for each object in the first list. The first list, and the attribute values gathered in the gathering operation, are stored to create a first snapshot. This example also includes receiving a second list that identifies objects that are in the group after at least part of a task is performed, and the value after at least part of the task is performed of the at least one attribute for each object identified in the second list. The second list and the received attribute values are stored to create a second snapshot, which is compared with the first snapshot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edward M. Barton, Avishai H. Hochberg, James P. Smith, Peter B. Symonds