Method and system for reciprocal data backup

Abstract

Methods and systems for a reciprocal backup of data, including files, directories, and application data are provided. Example embodiments provide a Reciprocal Backup System (“RBS”), which enables users of two or more computer systems connected over a network to engage each other for automated reciprocal backup needs using peer-to-peer computing techniques. The peer computer systems negotiate a reciprocal backup relationship where each provides the other with backup storage in a secure fashion. The intermittent nature of some partners is handled automatically by the RBS, which supports fully automated and scheduled backups as well as immediate backup and restoration of data objects. In one embodiment, the RBS comprises reciprocal backup system partner support and one or more storage repositories. The RBS partner support includes a reciprocal backup manager and scheduler and a reciprocal backup agent. These components cooperate to provide the backup and restoration operations of the RBS.

1 .- 234 . (canceled) 
     
     
         235 . A method in a computing system for performing backup from an originating computing system to storage located on at least one of a plurality of depository peer computing systems connected over a computing network, comprising:
 establishing at least one reciprocal backup relationship with at least one of the depository computing systems by negotiating for a specified amount of backup storage for backups from the originating computing system to storage on the at least one depository computing system and for a specified amount of reciprocal backup storage for backups from the least one depository computing system to storage on the originating computing system;   determining a depository partner computing system from the established reciprocal backup relationships;   specifying data to be backed up; and   indicating to the determined depository partner the specified data for backup to storage of the determined depository partner.   
     
     
         236 . The method of  claim 235  wherein the establishing the at least one reciprocal backup relationship with at least one of the depository computing systems comprises establishing at least one reciprocal backup relationship with a user-selected one of the depository computing systems. 
     
     
         237 . The method of  claim 235  wherein the determining the depository partner computing system from the established reciprocal backup relationships comprises receiving an indication from a user of a selected one of the depository computing systems. 
     
     
         238 . The method of  claim 235  wherein the determining of the depository partner further comprises selecting a depository partner based upon the specified data to be backed up. 
     
     
         239 . The method of  claim 235  wherein the specified amount of backup storage includes a indication of one or more of a suggested amount, a minimum amount, or a maximum amount of backup storage. 
     
     
         240 . The method of  claim 235  wherein the specified amount of reciprocal backup storage indicates an offered amount that may be accepted by the at least one depository computing system or that may be rejected by the at least one depository computing system. 
     
     
         241 . The method of  claim 235  wherein the negotiating is performed at least in part using at least one of an email transaction, an electronic messaging protocol, or a telephone call. 
     
     
         242 . The method of  claim 235  wherein the establishing the at least one reciprocal backup relationship with at least one of the depository computing systems further comprises:
 issuing an electronic invitation to at least one of the depository computing systems to establish the reciprocal backup relationship; and   indicating the specified amount of backup storage and the specified amount of reciprocal backup storage in the invitation.   
     
     
         243 . The method of  claim 235  wherein the specified amount of storage for backups and the specified amount of storage for reciprocal backups represents an even trade. 
     
     
         244 . The method of  claim 235  wherein the specified amount of storage for backups and the specified amount of storage for reciprocal backups represents an uneven trade. 
     
     
         245 . The method of  claim 235 , further comprising:
 receiving an indication from the at least one depository computing system that indicates a requested modification of the specified amount of reciprocal backup storage, thereby constituting a counteroffer.   
     
     
         246 . The method of  claim 235 , further comprising:
 receiving a response from the at least one depository computing system that indicates that a different amount of backup storage is available for backups from the originating computing system to storage on the depository computing system.   
     
     
         247 . The method of  claim 235 , further comprising:
 receiving a response from the at least one of the depository computing systems that indicates an acceptance of the requested reciprocal backup relationship.   
     
     
         248 . The method of  claim 235 , further comprising:
 receiving a response from the at least one of the depository computing systems that indicates a requested modification of the requested reciprocal backup relationship thereby negotiating a modified reciprocal backup relationship.   
     
     
         249 . The method of  claim 248 , further comprising:
 accepting the negotiated modified reciprocal backup relationship.   
     
     
         250 . The method of  claim 235 , the indicating to the determined depository partner the specified data for backup to storage of the determined depository partner further comprising:
 transmitting the specified data to the determined depository partner.   
     
     
         251 . The method of  claim 250 , further comprising:
 receiving an indication that the transmitted data was stored on the determined depository partner, based at least in part upon the negotiated amount of backup storage associated with the reciprocal backup relationship established with the determined depository partner.   
     
     
         252 . The method of  claim 250 , further comprising:
 transmitting data to a cache prior to transmitting the specified data to the determined depository partner.   
     
     
         253 . The method of  claim 235 , further comprising:
 determining whether there is sufficient storage remaining on the determined depository partner to backup the specified data, based at least in part upon the negotiated amount of backup storage associated with the reciprocal backup relationship established with the determined depository partner.   
     
     
         254 . The method of  claim 235 , furthering comprising:
 requesting, for restoration, data previously backed up according to at least one established reciprocal backup relationship.   
     
     
         255 . The method of  claim 254  wherein the requested data will result in a complete restoration of data of the originating computer system once restored. 
     
     
         256 . The method of  claim 235  wherein the specified data to be backed up is at least one of a file, a directory, a standing backup list, a portion of a data repository, or an application-specific data structure. 
     
     
         257 . The method of  claim 235  wherein the specifying the data to be backed up comprises using a graphical user interface to determine specific objects to be backed up. 
     
     
         258 . The method of  claim 235  wherein the establishing at least one reciprocal backup relationship with at least one of the depository computing systems establishes reciprocal backup relationships with a plurality of the depository computing systems, and further comprising:
 determining a second depository partner computing system from the established reciprocal backup relationships; and   indicating to the determined second depository partner a second specified data for backup to storage of the determined second depository partner.   
     
     
         259 . The method of  claim 258  wherein the specified data and the second specified data are the same, thereby providing a redundant backup strategy. 
     
     
         260 . The method of  claim 258  wherein the specified data and the second specified data are different data. 
     
     
         261 . The method of  claim 235 , further comprising:
 causing the backup data of the originating computer to be automatically purged from the at least one depository computing system.   
     
     
         262 . A computer-readable medium containing contents that enable an originating computing system to electronically perform backup to storage located on at least one of a plurality of depository peer computer systems connected over a network, by performing a method comprising:
 establishing at least one reciprocal backup relationship with at least one of the depository computing systems by electronically negotiating for an amount of backup storage for backups from the originating computing system and for an amount of reciprocal backup storage for backups from the least one depository computing system;   determining a depository partner computing system having an established reciprocal backup relationship with the originating computing system;   specifying data to be backed up; and   indicating to the determined depository partner the specified data for backup to storage of the determined depository partner.   
     
     
         263 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 262  wherein the computer-readable medium is at least one of a computer memory or a data transmissions medium configured to transmit a generated and stored signal containing the contents. 
     
     
         264 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 262  wherein the contents comprise instructions that control a computer processor to perform backup by transmitting the specified data to the determined depository partner. 
     
     
         265 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 262  wherein the method further comprises:
 transmitting data to the determined depository computing system;   receiving data from the determined depository computing system; and   storing the received data on the originating computing system, thereby performing reciprocal backup.   
     
     
         266 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 262  wherein the negotiated amount of backup storage and the negotiated amount of reciprocal backup storage represents an even trade. 
     
     
         267 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 262  wherein the negotiated amount of backup storage and the negotiated amount of reciprocal backup storage represents an uneven trade. 
     
     
         268 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 262  wherein the negotiating for the amount of backup storage includes indicating one or more of a suggested amount, a minimum amount, or a maximum amount of backup storage. 
     
     
         269 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 262  wherein the negotiating for the amount of reciprocal backup storage includes indicating an offered amount that may be accepted by the at least one depository computing system or that may be rejected by the at least one depository computing system. 
     
     
         270 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 262  wherein the negotiating is performed at least in part using at least one of an email transaction, an electronic messaging protocol, or a telephone call. 
     
     
         271 . A reciprocal backup system in an originating computing system connected by a network to a plurality of peer computing systems, comprising:
 a memory;   a reciprocal backup negotiation mechanism stored on the memory that is configured to, when executed, establish at least one reciprocal backup relationship with at least one of the peer computing systems, the reciprocal backup relationship having a negotiated amount of backup storage for backups to the at least one peer computing system and a negotiated amount of reciprocal backup storage for backups from the at least one peer computing system;   an interface that is configured to, when executed, allow specification of data to be backed up and to determine a depository partner from the at least one established reciprocal backup relationship for backup of the specified data; and   a reciprocal backup agent, stored on the memory, that is configured to, when executed, transmit the specified data to the determined depository partner for backup.   
     
     
         272 . The system of  claim 271  wherein the at least one of the peer computing systems with which the reciprocal backup relationship is established is a user-selected computing system. 
     
     
         273 . The system of  claim 271  wherein the negotiated amount of backup storage and the negotiated amount of reciprocal backup storage are different amounts. 
     
     
         274 . The system of  claim 271  wherein the negotiated amount of reciprocal backup storage includes an offered amount that may be accepted by the at least one peer computing system or that may be rejected by the at least one peer computing system. 
     
     
         275 . The system of  claim 271 , the reciprocal backup negotiation mechanism configured to, when executed, establish the at least one reciprocal backup relationship at least in part using at least one of an email transaction, an electronic messaging protocol, or a telephone call. 
     
     
         276 . The system of  claim 271 , the reciprocal backup agent further configured to, when executed, receive requests to store data for backup from a one of the peer computing systems. 
     
     
         277 . The system of  claim 271 , the reciprocal backup agent further configured to, when executed, determine whether there is sufficient storage remaining on the determined depository partner to backup the specified data before transmitting the specified data to the determined depository partner. 
     
     
         278 . The system of  claim 271 , the reciprocal backup agent further configured to, when executed, first transmit the specified data to a cache for later transmission to the determined depository partner. 
     
     
         279 . The system of  claim 271 , the reciprocal backup agent further configured, when executed, to request data from a one of the peer computing systems for restoring data on the originating computing system. 
     
     
         280 . The system of  claim 271  wherein the specified data specifies at least one of a file, a directory, a standing backup list, a portion of a data repository, or an application-specific data structure.