Backup Memory Administration
Methods, systems, and computer program products for backup memory administration are provided. Embodiments include storing in an active memory device, by a memory backup controller, blocks of computer data received from random access memory; recording in a change log, by the memory backup controller, identifications of each block of computer data that is stored in the active memory device; detecting, by the memory backup controller, a backup trigger event; and responsive to the detecting of the backup trigger event: copying, by the memory backup controller, from the active memory device, to a backup memory device, the blocks of data identified in the change log; and clearing, by the memory backup controller, the change log.
1 . A method of backup memory administration comprising:
storing in an active memory device, by a memory backup controller, blocks of computer data received from random access memory;
recording in a change log, by the memory backup controller, identifications of each block of computer data that is stored in the active memory device;
detecting, by the memory backup controller, a backup trigger event; and
responsive to the detecting of the backup trigger event:
copying, by the memory backup controller, from the active memory device, to a backup memory device, the blocks of data identified in the change log; and
clearing, by the memory backup controller, the change log.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
detecting, by the memory backup controller, a bad block in the active memory device;
ceasing, by the memory backup controller, usage of the bad block in the active memory device;
switching, by the memory backup controller, a designation of the backup memory device from backup usage to active usage; and
switching, by the memory backup controller, a designation of the active memory device from active usage to backup usage.
3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
receiving, by the memory backup controller, additional blocks of computer data from the random access memory;
responsive to the designations of the active memory device and the backup memory device, storing, by the memory backup controller, the additional blocks of computer data on a memory device designated as being in active usage.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the backup trigger event is triggered in response to an expiration of a predetermined period of time.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the backup trigger event is triggered in response to a change in a power state of one of the processor and the memory backup controller.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the backup trigger event is triggered in response to an occurrence of a particular time.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the backup trigger event is triggered in response to the change log reaching a storage capacity.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the memory backup controller is coupled to the processor through an expansion bus.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the expansion bus includes a type selected from the group consisting of a universal serial bus (USB), a small computer system interface (SCSI) bus, a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) bus, and a parallel attachment packet interface (ATAPI) bus.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the active memory device and the backup memory device include flash memory.
11 - 20 . (canceled)