Virtual recovery server

Abstract

A virtual recovery server is described herein. The virtual recovery server is a software implementation on a storage server which generates a virtual server to replace a physical server when the physical server becomes inaccessible. While the physical server is inaccessible, the virtual recovery server is able to mimic the actions and data contained on the physical server. Thus, when users attempt to access an application or data that is on the physical server, they will not experience an interruption and will continue to access the information as if the physical server were up and running. The virtual recovery server is able to run for up to a number of days. When a new or repaired physical server is available the virtual recovery server is deleted after the data acquired by the virtual server is transmitted to the new physical server.

1 - 48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . A system for providing network stability and data reliability, comprising:
 a. a first server;   b. a second server coupled to the first server wherein the second server comprises a memory device and stores first server data received from the first server on the memory device; and   c. a virtual server generated by the second server when the first server fails, wherein the virtual server performs the functions of the first server.   
     
     
         50 . The system as claimed in  claim 49  wherein the second server is a storage server. 
     
     
         51 . The system as claimed in  claim 49  wherein the first server backs up the first server data onto the second server using a continuous backup scheme. 
     
     
         52 . The system as claimed in  claim 49  wherein the second server stores a system image of the first server. 
     
     
         53 . The system as claimed in  claim 52  wherein the second server transfers the system image to the virtual server when generating the virtual server. 
     
     
         54 . The system as claimed in  claim 53  wherein the virtual server transfers the system image to a replacement server for the first server. 
     
     
         55 . The system as claimed in  claim 49  wherein the virtual server mimics the first server. 
     
     
         56 . The system as claimed in  claim 49  wherein the virtual server is activated in real-time. 
     
     
         57 . The system as claimed in  claim 49  wherein the first server is accessible by customers. 
     
     
         58 . The system as claimed in  claim 49  wherein the virtual server is generated in response to the failure of the first server. 
     
     
         59 . A method of providing network stability and data reliability, comprising:
 a. backing up first server data from a first server to a second server;   b. generating a virtual server when the first server fails; and   c. serving the first server data utilizing the virtual server until the first server is replaced.   
     
     
         60 . The method as claimed in  claim 59  further comprising replacing the failed server. 
     
     
         61 . The method as claimed in  claim 59  further comprising deleting the activated virtual server. 
     
     
         62 . The method as claimed in  claim 59  wherein the second server is a storage server. 
     
     
         63 . The method as claimed in  claim 59  wherein the first server backs up the first server data onto the second server using a continuous backup scheme. 
     
     
         64 . The method as claimed in  claim 59  further comprising storing a system image of the first server on the second server. 
     
     
         65 . The method as claimed in  claim 64  further comprising transferring the system image from the second server to the virtual server when generating the virtual server, wherein the system image corresponds to the failed first server. 
     
     
         66 . The method as claimed in  claim 65  further comprising transferring the system image from the virtual server to a replacement server for the failed first server. 
     
     
         67 . The method as claimed in  claim 59  wherein serving data utilizing the virtual server includes mimicking the failed first server before the server failed. 
     
     
         68 . The method as claimed in  claim 59  wherein generating the virtual server is in real-time. 
     
     
         69 . The method as claimed in  claim 59  wherein the first server is accessible by customers. 
     
     
         70 . The method as claimed in  claim 59  wherein the first server is one of a set of first servers. 
     
     
         71 . An apparatus for providing network stability and data reliability, comprising:
 a. a storage component;   b. a data backup application stored on the storage component for backing up server data received from a server; and   c. a virtual machine application stored on the storage component for generating a virtual server when the server fails.   
     
     
         72 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 71  wherein a server image is pre-installed on the storage component. 
     
     
         73 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 72  wherein the server image corresponds to the server. 
     
     
         74 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 71  wherein a plurality of server images are pre-installed on the storage component. 
     
     
         75 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 71  wherein a server image is acquired from the server. 
     
     
         76 . A system for providing network stability and data reliability, comprising:
 a. a first server;   b. a second server coupled to the first server wherein the second server comprises a memory device and stores first server data received from the first server on the memory device; and   c. a virtual server, wherein the virtual server performs functions of the first serve and further wherein the second server is configured to activate the virtual server upon detecting characteristics of the first server indicating an increase in a likelihood of failure of the first server.   
     
     
         77 . A method of providing network stability and data reliability, comprising:
 a. backing up first server data from a first server to a second server;   b. activating a virtual server upon detecting characteristics of the first server indicating an increase in a likelihood of failure of the first server; and   c. serving the first server data utilizing the virtual server until the first server is replaced.   
     
     
         78 . An apparatus for providing network stability and data reliability, comprising:
 a. a storage component;   b. a data backup application stored on the storage component for backing up server data received from a server; and   c. a virtual machine application stored on the storage component for activating a virtual server upon detecting characteristics of the first server indicating an increase in a likelihood of failure of the first server.   
     
     
         79 . An apparatus for providing network stability and data reliability, comprising:
 a. a storage component;   b. a data backup application stored on the storage component for backing up server data received from a server; and   c. a virtual machine application stored on the storage component for activating a virtual server when the server fails, wherein the data backup application continues to back up data after the server files while the virtual server runs.