Dynamic and automatic colocation and combining of service providers and service clients in a grid of resources for performing a data backup function

摘要

In a computing environment, a method for providing a data backup function without transferring data across a local area network includes providing a plurality of resources including at least a client resource requiring a periodic servicing operation, a service provider resource capable of providing that servicing operation. At least one of the client resource and the service provider resource, such as a data backup resource, are defined by virtual machines. The client resource and the service provider resource are transparently co-located by transferring the resource defined by a virtual machine to the physical machine hosting the other resource, and the service provider resource performs the data backup function without need of transferring the data being backed up across a local area network. Methods, computer systems, and computer programs available as a download or on a computer-readable medium for installation according to the invention are provided.

主权项

1. A method for providing a data backup function, comprising:
providing a virtual machine configured for performing a periodic data backup function; providing a physical computing device hosting an application requiring the periodic data backup function; co-locating the virtual machine and the physical computing device by transferring the virtual machine to the physical computing device; and streaming data backup traffic from the virtual machine to a predefined internet protocol address associated with the physical computing device; whereby the data backup function is performed after the co-locating and entirely on a storage area network without streaming the data backup traffic across a local area network.