Patent attributes
A system and method for creating a backup image from a volume including a plurality of files are described. Information specifying a subset of the files, but not all of the files, to backup may be received. The volume may include a plurality of blocks, where the plurality of blocks includes a respective set of data blocks for each file of the volume and blocks of file system metadata structures for the volume. The method may comprise identifying a subset of, but not all of, the plurality of blocks to copy into the backup image. The subset of blocks may include each data block for each file of the subset of files, and may also include blocks of one or more file system metadata structures needed for accessing the subset of files. The method may further comprise copying each block of the subset of blocks into the backup image. In some embodiments the subset of blocks may be copied into the backup image without copying data blocks for files not in the specified subset of files.
