Backup Memory Administration

Abstract

Methods, systems, and computer program products for backup memory administration are provided. Embodiments include storing in an active memory device, by a memory backup controller, blocks of computer data received from random access memory; recording in a change log, by the memory backup controller, identifications of each block of computer data that is stored in the active memory device; detecting, by the memory backup controller, a backup trigger event; and responsive to the detecting of the backup trigger event: copying, by the memory backup controller, from the active memory device, to a backup memory device, the blocks of data identified in the change log; and clearing, by the memory backup controller, the change log.

1 . A method of backup memory administration comprising:
 storing in an active memory device, by a memory backup controller, blocks of computer data received from random access memory;   recording in a change log, by the memory backup controller, identifications of each block of computer data that is stored in the active memory device;   detecting, by the memory backup controller, a backup trigger event; and   responsive to the detecting of the backup trigger event:   copying, by the memory backup controller, from the active memory device, to a backup memory device, the blocks of data identified in the change log; and   clearing, by the memory backup controller, the change log.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 detecting, by the memory backup controller, a bad block in the active memory device;   ceasing, by the memory backup controller, usage of the bad block in the active memory device;   switching, by the memory backup controller, a designation of the backup memory device from backup usage to active usage; and   switching, by the memory backup controller, a designation of the active memory device from active usage to backup usage.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 receiving, by the memory backup controller, additional blocks of computer data from the random access memory;   responsive to the designations of the active memory device and the backup memory device, storing, by the memory backup controller, the additional blocks of computer data on a memory device designated as being in active usage.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the backup trigger event is triggered in response to an expiration of a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the backup trigger event is triggered in response to a change in a power state of one of the processor and the memory backup controller. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the backup trigger event is triggered in response to an occurrence of a particular time. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the backup trigger event is triggered in response to the change log reaching a storage capacity. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the memory backup controller is coupled to the processor through an expansion bus. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the expansion bus includes a type selected from the group consisting of a universal serial bus (USB), a small computer system interface (SCSI) bus, a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) bus, and a parallel attachment packet interface (ATAPI) bus. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the active memory device and the backup memory device include flash memory. 
     
     
         11 - 20 . (canceled)