Fast system state cloning
A system and method to create a clone of a source computing system, the system including the steps of selecting a memory space coupled to the source computing system, retrieving uncoded data from the selected memory space, encoding the uncoded data by use of a bit-marker-based encoding process executing on a backup server, storing encoded data in a protected memory coupled to the backup server, wherein the protected memory is protected from a power interruption, retrieving the encoded data from the protected memory; and decoding the encoded data onto a target computing system, wherein the target computing system is separate from the source computing system.
1. A method to clone a source computing system, comprising the steps of:
selecting a memory space coupled to the source computing system, the source computing system comprising a main processor;
retrieving uncoded data from the selected memory space;
encoding the uncoded data by use of a bit-marker-based encoding process executing on a backup server, wherein a bit marker comprises a multi-bit digital word used to replace a respective unique string of bits in the uncoded data;
storing encoded data in a protected memory coupled to the backup server, wherein the protected memory is coupled to an energy source to protect the memory from a power interruption, and coupled to a memory interface;
monitoring, by a second processor in the memory interface, a status of the energy source and a status of the protected memory;
reporting, by the second processor to the main processor, the monitored status of the energy source and the monitored status of the protected memory;
retrieving the encoded data from the protected memory; and
decoding the encoded data onto a target computing system, wherein the target computing system is separate from the source computing system.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein selecting a memory space comprises:
identifying one or more computing processes executing on the source computing system; and
selecting a memory space used by each of the one or more identified computing processes.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein selecting the memory space comprises an entire volatile memory address range of the source computing system.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein selecting the memory space comprises a fixed range subset of an entire volatile memory address range of the source computing system.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the source computing system comprises a virtual server.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the protected memory coupled to the backup server stores a plurality of source computing system reference images.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of source computing system reference images comprises images over time of a single source computing system.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of source computing system reference images comprises images of a plurality of source computing systems.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the clone of the source computing system is created by request from a source external to the source computing system being cloned.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the clone of the source computing system is created at a time determined by the source computing system being cloned.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein cloning the source computing system is operable to repurpose the target computing system to a different usage.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein cloning the source computing system is operable to restore the target computing system to a backup state.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein cloning the source computing system is operable to repurpose the target computing system from a spare status to an active status.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein selecting a memory space comprises:
a first memory space comprising a base system image of an uncustomized server; and
a second memory space comprising system-specific customizations of the uncustomized server.
15. A system to clone a source computing system, comprising:
a main processor coupled to a memory, the memory providing a memory space for the source computing system;
a communication interface to support retrieval of uncoded data from the memory space;
an encoder to encode the uncoded data by use of a bit-marker-based encoding process executing on a backup server, wherein a bit marker comprises a multi-bit digital word used to replace a respective unique string of bits in the uncoded data;
a storage module to store encoded data in a protected memory coupled to the backup server, wherein the protected memory is coupled to an energy source to protect the memory from a power interruption, and coupled to a memory interface, wherein the memory interface comprises:
a second processor to monitor the status of the energy source and a status of the protected memory; and
a communication interface to report to the main processor the monitored status of the energy source and the monitored status of the protected memory;
a communication interface to support retrieval of the encoded data from the protected memory; and
a decoder to decode the encoded data onto a target computing system, wherein the target computing system is separate from the source computing system.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein selecting the memory space comprises an entire volatile memory address range of the source computing system.
17. The system of claim 15 , wherein selecting the memory space comprises a fixed range subset of an entire volatile memory address range of the source computing system.
18. The system of claim 15 , wherein the source computing system comprises a virtual server.
19. The system of claim 15 , wherein the protected memory coupled to the backup server stores a plurality of source computing system reference images.
20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the plurality of source computing system reference images comprises images over time of a single source computing system.