COMPUTERIZED METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR INCREMENTAL DATABASE BACKUP USING CHANGE TRACKING

1 . A computerized method of creating an incremental backup of application data by creating a snapshot associated with a current incremental backup of a data file using a change tracking bitmap such that a data file associated with the current incremental backup can be restored from just the snapshot associated with the current incremental backup and an initial backup without needing to access one or more previously generated incremental backups of the data file, each created at an earlier point in time than the point in time for the current incremental backup, the method comprising:

receiving, by a computing device, a data file to be monitored by the computing device;

identifying, by the computing device, a prior change tracking bitmap associated with the data file, the prior change tracking bitmap comprising data indicative of changes made since a backup created at an earlier point in time than the point in time for the current incremental backup;

determining, by the computing device, blocks of data of the data file changed since the prior change tracking bitmap for the prior incremental backup;

transmitting, by the computing device, to a backup device blocks of data of the data file changed since the prior change tracking bitmap for the prior incremental backup; and

creating, by the computing device, a copy-on-write snapshot of the backup device to capture a point-in-time state of the data file, such that the data file associated with the current incremental backup can be restored from just the snapshot associated with the current incremental backup and the initial backup without needing to access one or more previously generated incremental backups of the data file, each created at an earlier point in time than the point in time for the current incremental backup.

2 . The computerized method of claim 1 , wherein the backup device includes data indicative of all changes made for each of a set of backups created at an earlier point in time other than the point in time for the current incremental backup.

3 . The computerized method of claim 2 , further comprising transmitting instructions, from a computing device, to a backup application to create a current change tracking bitmap associated with the current incremental backup, the current change tracking bitmap including:

a copy of the blocks of data changed since the prior change tracking bitmap, and

all the changes from the previous change tracking bitmap, such that the current change tracking bitmap can be used by future backups.

4 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising deleting, by the computing device, the prior change tracking bitmap after creating the current change tracking bitmap.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising, wherein if the change tracking bitmap does not exist, transmitting instructions to the backup application to copy the entire data file to create an initial backup of the data file and to create an initial change tracking bitmap for tracking changes made to the data file after generation of the initial backup.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining if the data file has a prior change tracking bitmap comprises determining if the prior change tracking bitmap is reliable.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving, by a change tracking drive, a data file to be monitored further comprises determining if the data file is eligible for change tracking.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the data file comprises at least one of a database file and a virtual file.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the virtual file comprises at least one of a configuration file and a virtual hard disk file for a virtual machine, facilitating near instant restore and cloning of previously backed up virtual machines.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the backup created at an earlier point in time comprises a backup created most recent in time to the current incremental backup.

11 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed, instruct a processor to perform processes comprising:

receiving, by a computing device, a database file to be monitored by the computing device;

identifying, by the computing device, a prior change tracking bitmap associated with the database file, the prior change tracking bitmap comprising data indicative of changes made since a backup created at an earlier point in time than the point in time for the current incremental backup;

determining, by the computing device, blocks of data of the database file changed since the prior change tracking bitmap for the prior incremental backup;

transmitting, by the computing device, to a backup device blocks of data of the database file changed since the prior change tracking bitmap for the prior incremental backup;

creating, by the computing device, a copy-on-write snapshot of the backup device to capture a point-in-time state of the data file, such that the database file associated with the current incremental backup can be restored from just the snapshot associated with the current incremental backup and the initial backup without needing to access one or more previously generated incremental backups of the database file, each created at an earlier point in time than the point in time for the current incremental backup.

12 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the backup device includes data indicative of all changes made for each of a set of backups created at an earlier point in time other than the point in time for the current incremental backup.

13 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 , further comprising transmitting instructions, from a computing device, to a backup application to create a current change tracking bitmap associated with the current incremental backup, the current change tracking bitmap including:

a copy of the blocks of data changed since the prior change tracking bitmap, and

all the changes from the previous change tracking bitmap, such that the current change tracking bitmap can be used by future backups.

14 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13 , further comprising deleting, by the computing device, the prior change tracking bitmap after creating the current change tracking bitmap.

15 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11 , further comprising, wherein if the change tracking bitmap does not exist, transmitting instructions to the backup application to copy the entire database file to create an initial backup of the database file and to create an initial change tracking bitmap for tracking changes made to the data file after generation of the initial backup.

16 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11 , wherein determining if the database file has a prior change tracking bitmap comprises determining if the prior change tracking bitmap is reliable.

17 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11 , wherein receiving, by a change tracking drive, a database file to be monitored further comprises determining if the database file is eligible for change tracking.

18 . A system for creating an incremental backup of application data by creating a snapshot associated with a current incremental backup of a data file using a change tracking bitmap such that a data file associated with the current incremental backup can be restored from just the snapshot associated with the current incremental backup and an initial backup without needing to access one or more previously generated incremental backups of the data file, each created at an earlier point in time than the point in time for the current incremental backup, the system comprising:

a memory containing instructions for execution by a processor;

the processor configured to:

receive a data file to be monitored by the computing device;

identify a prior change tracking bitmap associated with the data file, the prior change tracking bitmap comprising data indicative of changes made since a backup created at an earlier point in time than the point in time for the current incremental backup;

determine blocks of data of the data file changed since the prior change tracking bitmap for the prior incremental backup;

transmit, to a backup device blocks of data of the data file changed since the prior change tracking bitmap for the prior incremental backup; and

create a copy-on-write snapshot of the backup device to capture a point-in-time state of the data file, such that the data file associated with the current incremental backup can be restored from just the snapshot associated with the current incremental backup and the initial backup without needing to access one or more previously generated incremental backups of the data file, each created at an earlier point in time than the point in time for the current incremental backup.

19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the backup device includes data indicative of all changes made for each of a set of backups created at an earlier point in time other than the point in time for the current incremental backup.

20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the processor is further configured to transmit instructions to a backup application to create a current change tracking bitmap associated with the current incremental backup, the current change tracking bitmap including:

a copy of the blocks of data changed since the prior change tracking bitmap, and

all the changes from the previous change tracking bitmap, such that the current change tracking bitmap can be used by future backups.