Patent attributes
When multiple backup database instances most recently experienced an update is determined. If a most recently updated backup database instance was updated within a defined time period of one or more other backup database instances, a source instance for cloning is selected as the backup database instance that satisfies at least one of a physical or logical proximity criteria relative to a designated database instance. If a difference in update times is greater than the defined time period, e.g., for the two most recent backup database instances, the source instance for cloning is selected to be the most recently updated backup database instance. Cloning to a target instance is performed using the selected backup database instance as a source instance as long as preparatory operations all pass. If not, the source databases are used for the cloning while still being accessible to clients.
