System and method for predicting backup data volumes

摘要

A method and system for predicting the managed backup occupancy of a backup system are disclosed. The method includes determining the variables m0, x1 to xn, r and z1 to zn. Variable m0 is the current managed backup occupancy of the backup system, x1 to xn are the expected occupancies of backups taken by the backup system per predetermined time period T with retention periods of 0-1 time periods T, 1-2 time periods T, 2-3 time periods T and so on up to n time periods T respectively, r is the expected growth rate of a protected data volume of the backup system per time period T, and z1 to zn are the data volumes of existing backups that are expected to expire within each of the first to nth time periods T after the current time respectively.

主权项

1. A computer implemented method for predicting the managed backup occupancy of a backup system, the method comprising:
generating statistics on the backup system over a period of time, the statistics include variables m0, x1 to xn, r and z1 to zn, where m0 is the current managed backup occupancy of the backup system, x1 to xn are the expected occupancies of backups taken by the backup system per a predetermined time period T with retention periods of 0-1 time periods T, 1-2 time periods T, 2-3 time periods T and so on up to n time periods T respectively, r is the expected growth rate of a protected data volume of the backup system per time period T, and z1 to zn are the data volumes of existing backups that are expected to expire within each of the first to nth time periods T after the current time respectively; calculating a predicted managed backup occupancy mn after n time periods T from the current time based on the variables m0, x1 to xn, r and z1 to zn, by applying the formula:mn=m0+∑np=1⁢⁢(∑∞j=p⁢⁢xj⁡(1+r)1+n-p)-∑nk=1⁢⁢Zk; storing information on a cost of backing up a given volume of data using the backup system and at least one alternative backup system; and calculating a cost comparison over N years between the backup system and the at least one alternative backup system based on the predicted managed backup occupancy mn and the stored information on the cost of backing up a given volume of data using the backup system and the at least one alternative backup system.