Backup method of microprocessor-based computer system and a backup system for making the same

摘要

A backup program for a computer system with a primary storage area (24), a hard disk maintains a record of changes made to the data in a file being backed up. During backup both the original and update file portions or records are stored in the primary storage area (24) and a secondary storage area (30) of a storage (14), and the backup program reads the original data while other applications read the updated data. In order to identify whether a read operation is initiated by the backup program or by another application, the system determines, using the storage (14), the source of the read request. Alternatively, it interrogates the user, process or task identification. Access to the file by the backup program is guaranteed by manipulating the system file table. It is ensured that the file is in a "good" state by delaying the start of the backup operation for a predetermined period. The present invention also relates to a corresponding backup system comprising means for carrying out relevant operational steps, particularly means for surveying a storage (14) area from which read instruction originates.