Selective processing of file system objects for image level backups

Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for reducing the size of image level backups. An example method receives backup parameters identifying a physical or Virtual Machine (VM) to backup and at least one file system object to include in the backup. The method connects to production storage corresponding to the selected physical or virtual machine and obtains access to data stored in disk corresponding to the selected file system object(s). The method fetches file allocation table (FAT) blocks from the disk and parses contents of the FAT blocks to determine if the disk blocks correspond to the selected file system object(s). The method creates a backup disk image FAT comprising blocks corresponding to the selected file system object(s). The method creates a reconstructed disk image FAT blocks corresponding to the backup FAT and disk image data blocks belonging to the selected file system object(s) and all other disk image data blocks are saved as zero blocks. A reconstructed disc image is compressed and stored in a backup file on backup storage, or replicated (copied) to another storage intact.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for selective processing of file system objects for an image level backup, comprising:
 a backup engine including:
 a receiving module configured to receive backup parameters for the image level backup, wherein the backup parameters include a selection of a machine to backup, and a selection of at least one file system object to include in the image level backup; 
 a connection module configured to connect to production storage corresponding to the selected machine, wherein the connection module is further configured to obtain data from a source disk corresponding to the selected at least one file system object, and wherein the source disk is in the production storage; 
 a file allocation table (FAT) processing module configured to:
 fetch FAT blocks from the source disk; 
 search the fetched FAT blocks to determine a selected set of data blocks of the source disk, wherein the selected set of data blocks corresponds to the selected at least one file system object; and 
 create a backup FAT from the fetched FAT blocks, wherein the backup FAT comprises only records corresponding to the selected at least one file system object; and 
 
 a block processing module configured to:
 read the determined selected set of data blocks; and 
 save the backup FAT and the determined selected set of data blocks to a reconstructed disk image.