Apple Inc.

Other

Eric A Weiss

Pavel Cisler

Dominic Benjamin Giampaolo

Kristen A McIntyre

Christopher A Wolf

Peter McInerney

Loic E Vandereyken

Daniel I Feldman

Pavel Sokolov

Erika Misaki

Richard B Blair

The described embodiments set forth techniques for preserving clone relationships between files at a computing device. In particular, the techniques involve identifying clone relationships between files in conjunction with performing operations on the files where it can be beneficial to preserve the clone relationships. The operations can include, for example, preserving clone relationships between files that are being copied from a source storage device (that supports file cloning) to a destination storage device that supports file cloning. Additionally, the operations can include preserving clone relationships when backing up and restoring files between a source storage device (that supports file cloning) and a destination storage device that does not support file cloning. In this manner, the various benefits afforded by the clone relationships between files can be retained even as the files are propagated to destination storage devices that may or may not support file cloning.

Techniques for preserving clone relationships between files

The embodiments set forth techniques for performing incremental backups of a source file system volume (FSV) managed by a source computing device. According to some embodiments, the source computing device can be configured to generate a current snapshot of the source FSV, where the current snapshot complements a previous snapshot of the source FSV (e.g., established during a previous backup). In some cases, to free up storage space, the data for files belonging to the source FSV can be stripped from the previous snapshot (where metadata for the files remains intact). Next, the source computing device can generate, within a destination storage device, a second snapshot of a destination FSV (that corresponds to the source FSV). In turn, the source computing device identifies changes made to the source FSV based on the current snapshot and the previous snapshot, and reflects the changes within the second snapshot of the destination FSV.

Techniques for performing incremental data backups

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for file system management. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a request at a kernel to perform a file operation on a particular file; identifying a flag bit associated with the file; invoking user space file handler to perform particular action when the flag bit is set; determining whether notification that action has been performed by file handler is received; and allowing the file operation on the file when notification is received.

File system management

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for storing data. In one aspect, a method includes detecting at a kernel a plurality of operations, each of a particular type from a plurality of types, to be performed on a respective data item; and generating respective entries in a delta store in response to the detected plurality of operations wherein each entry for a data item includes a marker attribute corresponding to the operation type of the plurality of types.

Local backup

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for storing data are disclosed. In some implementations, visual representations of files are generated for presentation in a backup user interface. The visual representations are generated from sparse file system metadata stored on the computing device, thus allowing faster navigating of the backup user interface. During a restore operation, the metadata can be used to retrieve the items from their physical storage locations. In some implementations, when the storage capacity of a backup storage device exceeds a threshold, the data for the N oldest backups are replaced with sparse file system metadata, which can be used to generate visual representations for presentation in the backup user interface.

Backup user interface

Systems and methods are provided for storing and restoring digital data. In some implementations, a method is provided. The method includes initiating a backup operation of data including a plurality of items, interrupting the backup operation, where interrupting occurs after a portion of the data has been completed, receiving an input to resume the backup operation, identifying a previously completed portion of the backup data, and performing a backup of a remaining uncompleted portion of the backup data. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding systems, apparatus, computer program products, and computer readable media.

Manipulating electronic backups

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for storing data. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a user input to present a visual representation of a first prior state of a file system; generating the first visual representation of a first prior state of the file system at a first time in the past according to a first virtual file system corresponding to that first time; presenting the first visual representation, where the first virtual file system is a reduced representation of the file system at that first time; receiving a user input to present a second visual representation of a second prior state of the file system at a second time in the past according to a second virtual file system corresponding to that second time; and presenting the second visual representation.

Visual representation of a local backup

Systems and methods are provided for performing backup operations while a user is using a device. In one implementation, a method is provided. A backup operation of data including a plurality of related items is initiated. Modifications to one or more items of the plurality of related items are monitored for during the backup operation. The backup operation is completed. If a modification occurred to one or more items, a second backup operation is performed for the modified items.

Growing community of inventors

Paris, France

Eric A Weiss