Incremental backup system

摘要

In a microprocessor-based computer system, file backups are performed by monitoring modified areas of one or more files, through the write statements which give rise to the modifications. A meta-data database is constructed containing information relating to the locations of those modified areas. The backup database may then be modified by interrogating the meta-data database and thereby backing up only the data which has been modified in the database itself. Thus the size of the backup database may be reduced. The invention may be incorporated in a dedicated backup application and/or operating system or may interact with a conventional file-by-file backup application.