Abstract: A method for providing data protection in object-based storage environments may include: 1) taking a first snapshot, at a first time, of a set of partitions that store data of a file system on a set of object storage devices; 2) using the first snapshot to sync the data of the file system with a data protection node; 3) taking a second snapshot, at a second time, of the set of partitions; 4) using information from the set of object storage devices to identify at least one object that changed between the first and second times; 5) using object identification information to deduce file identification information that identifies a file that comprises the changed object; and 6) sending the changed object and the file identification information to the data protection node. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system of providing access to a virtual storage device is disclosed. According to one embodiment, access is provided to a virtual storage device comprising a file system storage object to store data to be written to the virtual storage device and a storage device. According to another embodiment, the virtual storage device further comprises a file system storage object to represent the virtual storage device.

Abstract: Method, system, and apparatus for maintaining consistent images of metadata and data in a file system or other data journaling software stored on a temporal volume are presented. An intent log is maintained of all data and metadata modifying transactions, which is then relayed either asynchronously or form a last known consistent checkpoint to a requested checkpoint thereby rendering the requested checkpoint data and metadata consistent.

Abstract: A method for reading data in a block-level single-instance storage system may involve receiving a first address of a data block, retrieving a signature corresponding to the first address, and reading data from a second address corresponding to the signature. A storage system may include a storage manager and first and second lookup tables. The storage manager may interface with an application (such as a database system or a file system) that uses a first set of identifiers for data blocks. The storage manager may use a second set of identifiers for the data blocks, and translates between the first and second identifiers using the lookup tables. The first lookup table indexes data block signatures according to the first set of identifiers. The second lookup table indexes the second set of identifiers according to the data block signatures. The second lookup table may be pruned to provide single instance storage.

Abstract: A computer system includes a read ahead engine that receives a sequence of read requests and performs read ahead operations in accordance with various patterns detected within the sequence of read requests. The prefetch engine may implement the method of storing a first run value indicative of the run size of a first plurality of sequential read requests, and storing a first skip value indicative of a non-sequential skip associated with a subsequent read request. The method may further include determining whether a second run value indicative of the sequential run size of a second plurality of read requests equals the first run value, and whether a second skip value indicative of another non-sequential skip associated with an additional read request equals the first skip value. If the first run value equals the second run value, and the first skip value equals the second skip value, a stride pattern is indicated, and one or more read ahead operations according to the detected stride pattern may be initiated.

Abstract: A computer system includes a read ahead engine that receives a sequence of read requests and performs read ahead operations in accordance with various patterns detected within the sequence of read requests. The prefetch engine may implement the method of storing a first run value indicative of the run size of a first plurality of sequential read requests, and storing a first skip value indicative of a non-sequential skip associated with a subsequent read request. The method may further include determining whether a second run value indicative of the sequential run size of a second plurality of read requests equals the first run value, and whether a second skip value indicative of another non-sequential skip associated with an additional read request equals the first skip value. If the first run value equals the second run value, and the first skip value equals the second skip value, a stride pattern is indicated, and one or more read ahead operations according to the detected stride pattern may be initiated.

Abstract: A computer system includes a read ahead engine that receives a sequence of read requests and performs read ahead operations in accordance with various patterns detected within the sequence of read requests. The prefetch engine may implement the method of storing a first run value indicative of the run size of a first plurality of sequential read requests, and storing a first skip value indicative of a non-sequential skip associated with a subsequent read request. The method may further include determining whether a second run value indicative of the sequential run size of a second plurality of read requests equals the first run value, and whether a second skip value indicative of another non-sequential skip associated with an additional read request equals the first skip value. If the first run value equals the second run value, and the first skip value equals the second skip value, a stride pattern is indicated, and one or more read ahead operations according to the detected stride pattern may be initiated.