Abstract: A method and system for creating a series of online snapshots for recovery purposes. A series of concurrent, overlapping snapshots (e.g., file snapshots or database file snapshots) may be created over a user-specified time interval at a user-specified frequency. Monitoring for a recovery indication may occur during the user-specified time interval. Once it is established that a “recovery” is necessary, a snapback procedure may be implemented to iteratively restore one or more pre-update snapshot images. Between restore iterations, testing to determine if the problem still exists may occur. When the testing of the data results in a determination that the problem is resolved, no further restores are necessary.

Abstract: A method and system for intercepting file system writes. When intercept processing is enabled, a file write request may be passed to intercept write processing, prior to normal write processing. Intercept write processing may include: identifying the file, copying original file information, modifying the write pointer within the original file information, storing the intercepted write in a cache using the modified write pointer. The intercepted write may be allowed to complete normal processing after the intercepted writes are stored in the cache. The intercepted writes may then be retrieved from the cache (e.g., in first-in-first-out (FIFO) order, or in some other user-specified order).

Abstract: A method and system for intercepting file system writes. When intercept processing is enabled, a file write request may be passed to intercept write processing, prior to normal write processing. Intercept write processing may include: identifying the file, copying original file information, modifying the write pointer within the original file information, storing the intercepted write in a cache using the modified write pointer. The intercepted write may be allowed to complete normal processing after the intercepted writes are stored in the cache. The intercepted writes may then be retrieved from the cache (e.g., in first-in-first-out (FIFO) order, or in some other user-specified order).

Abstract: An improved method and system for creating online snapshots. Files (e.g., database files) are registered with a snapshot software component technology by a backup software utility. A methodology (e.g., software or hardware based) to backup each file is determined. For the software methodology, captured reads for updated data receive data returned from the cache; captured reads for non-updated data receive data returned from the registered file; a pre-image of an appropriate data block of the registered file for captured writes is saved to a cache if the data block has no previously saved pre-image. The backup is consistent with the state of each registered file at the point in time of the start of the snapshot software component technology. Non-updated data is copied from the registered file to a backup device; a pre-image version of updated data is copied to the backup device.

Abstract: A method and system for creating a series of online snapshots for recovery purposes. A series of concurrent, overlapping snapshots (e.g., file snapshots or database file snapshots) may be created over a user-specified time interval at a user-specified frequency. Monitoring for a recovery indication may occur during the user-specified time interval. Once it is established that a “recovery” is necessary, a snapback procedure may be implemented to iteratively restore one or more pre-update snapshot images. Between restore iterations, testing to determine if the problem still exists may occur. When the testing of the data results in a determination that the problem is resolved, no further restores are necessary.