Data transfer and recovery
A backup image generator can create a primary image and periodic delta images of all or part of a primary server. The images can be sent to a network attached storage device and one or more remote storage servers. In the event of a failure of the primary server, an updated primary image may be used to provide an up-to-date version of the primary system at a backup or other system. As a result, the primary data storage may be timely backed-up, recovered and restored with the possibility of providing server and business continuity in the event of a failure.
1. A method comprising:
receiving a first image of a first computer system at a cloud-based second computer system;
receiving a first plurality of delta images at the cloud-based second computer system, each delta image of the first plurality of delta images representing an incremental change in the first computer system;
operating the second computer system as a primary version of the first computer system, based upon the first image and the first plurality of delta images;
generating a second image of the cloud-based second computer system;
providing the second image to a third computer system, the third computer system being local to users of the first computer system; and
providing a second plurality of delta images to the third computer system, each delta image of the second plurality of delta images representing an incremental change in a state of the cloud-based second computer system.
2. A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a step of deactivating the first computer system subsequent to receiving the first image and the first plurality of delta images.
3. A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising operating the third computer system as a backup of the cloud-based second computer system.
4. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second image is a replica of the first image.
5. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first image comprises a virtual hard drive.
6. A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:
determining that the cloud-based second computer system is unavailable for use as a primary version of the first computer system; and
operating the third computer system as a primary version of the first computer system.