Virtual machine file-level restoration

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and system for selectively restoring file-level data from a disk image backup. In embodiments, a virtual machine backup may be performed by dividing a virtual machine virtual disk file into a plurality of discrete fixed-sized data blocks sharing a common index file that is stored on a backup medium, such as a hard drive, to form a backup set. The index file is referenced to determine which fixed-sized block contains volume information, such as a partition table, of the backed-up virtual machine file. The individual blocks are processed as a virtual filesystem which is mounted and presented to an access module, which traverses the filesystem and provide access to individual files in the image backup to a client process. The restore files may be delivered to the client in a container file, which may be compressed to increase transfer speed. The container file may include executable instructions for automatically restoring the files to a desired location.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for retrieving a logical data unit stored within a backup set represented by at least one backup data block, and an index file, comprising the steps of:
 identifying a backup data block containing information indicative of the logical organization of the backup set;   identifying at least one logical data unit stored within the backup set;   selecting at least one identified logical data unit; and   transferring the selected logical data unit to a recipient.