Management of multiple generations of backup data

Abstract

An interface for use in a backup management device that administers multiple generations of backup data by rotating a plurality of rewriteable backup media while recording backup data onto the backup media according to a predetermined backup cycle, the interface having a period display area displayed together with a time axis, predetermined areas of length corresponding to period length and divided by means of divider lines into areas equal in number to the number of save periods for which the backup data should be saved, and the length of each area being displayed as the length of each save period, wherein the period display area allows the save period to be modified by means of moving the divider line through operation of a pointing device by the user.

1 . An interface for use in a backup management device that administers multiple generations of backup data by rotating a plurality of rewriteable backup media while recording backup data onto the backup media according to a predetermined backup cycle, the interface having a period display area displayed together with a time axis, predetermined areas of length corresponding to period length and divided by means of divider lines into areas equal in number to the number of save periods for which the backup data should be saved, and the length of each area being displayed as the length of each save period, 
 wherein the period display area allows the save period to be modified by means of moving the divider line through operation of a pointing device by the user.    
     
     
         2 . The interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the period display area displays so as to fulfill the conditions that a save period (n+1) (n is a natural number) is older than a save period n, and a length of the save period (n+1) is equal to or greater than a length of the save period n.  
     
     
         3 . The interface according to  claim 1 , the interface having an management status display area that displays in association with one another the save period, the backup medium in which the backup data was stored, and the time at which the backup data was stored in the backup medium.