Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method for updating email analytics databases may include (1) identifying an email database with a native format and an email analytics database that stores a copy of data in the email database in an analytics-friendly format that is denormalized relative to the native format of the email database, (2) capturing a log file comprising information that is about at least one recent change to the email database and that is formatted using the native format of the email database, (3) extracting the information about the recent change to the email database from the log file by transforming the information from the native format of the email database into the analytics-friendly format, and (4) updating the email analytics database to reflect the recent change to the email database by using the extracted information. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method for preparing email databases for analysis may include (1) identifying an email database that stores a plurality of emails in a plurality of tables that are formatted to be managed by a specific email application, (2) using a component of the specific email application to retrieve the plurality of emails from the database, (3) creating a denormalized dataset for the plurality of emails by combining email data from at least one table from the plurality of tables with email data from at least one other table from the plurality of tables, and (4) exporting at least a portion of the data from the denormalized dataset into at least one file in an interoperable format that is capable of being read by a plurality of applications. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes storing backup images in backup storage using snapshots. In response to receipt of a backup image that includes a complete copy of client data, a storage unit is generated and the backup image is stored in the storage unit. In response to receipt of a streamlined backup image that includes changed client data and metadata identifying unchanged client data in a base backup image, a base storage unit that includes the base backup image is identified, a snapshot is taken of the base storage unit (which generates a snapshot), and the streamlined backup image is stored on the snapshot. The metadata of the streamlined backup image is analyzed to identify portions of the base backup image that are not referenced by the streamlined backup image, which are removed from the snapshot.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and method for providing input/output virtualization for a file are disclosed. The system may include a filter program that intercepts a write request for a particular file and stores change information specifying the data and the write location indicated by the write request. However, the file itself is not modified. The filter program may also intercept a read request referencing the file and determine whether change information representing a write request to write data at the location specified by the read request has been previously stored. If so then the data specified by the change information is returned in response to the read request.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and method for providing input/output virtualization for a file are disclosed. The system may include a filter program that intercepts a write request for a particular file and stores change information specifying the data and the write location indicated by the write request. However, the file itself is not modified. The filter program may also intercept a read request referencing the file and determine whether change information representing a write request to write data at the location specified by the read request has been previously stored. If so then the data specified by the change information is returned in response to the read request.

Abstract: A computer system and methods. The computer system includes a host that hosts applications and includes storage volumes. The host identifies an application and associated first files to be protected. The first files are stored on a first volume. The host performs a file-by-file backup of the first files to a first backup medium. The host identifies a second volume to be protected and performs a volume image backup of the second volume to a second backup medium. The host identifies second files that are associated with the identified application and stored on the second volume and stores metadata in a third backup medium including application-specific references to data objects that correspond to the second files. Third files not associated with the identified application are stored on the first volume and not included in the file-by-file backup. The second files are not included in the file-by-file backup.

Abstract: A virtual disk can be created by using data from critical sectors of a primary physical disk. The creation of a virtual disk involves receiving sector numbers and corresponding data for critical sectors of a primary physical disk on a primary computing system, creating a virtual disk that comprises sectors, and writing data from the critical sectors of the primary physical disk into respective sectors of the virtual disk.

Abstract: A method, computer readable medium, and apparatus for creating and using backups which allow restoration of applications and/or specific content using volume image backup files. A directory of applications and application specific content is created which, along with metadata associated therewith, allows selection and restoration of such content using data stored in a volume image backup file, thereby reducing the time needed to create backups which are restorable at the application level.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently accessing large data storage subsystems with a different file format than a format used by running applications. A backup server is coupled to a data storage medium, and is configured to store data on the data storage medium according to a first file format. A client is coupled to the backup server and is configured to convey memory access requests for data stored in the data storage medium. The client is unable to decipher the first file format. A filter driver in the backup server is coupled to intercept the requests from the client. The filter driver is configured to decipher the first file format; spoof the existence of one or more spoofed files that do not exist on the data storage medium, wherein each of the one or more spoofed files corresponds to data stored on the data storage medium; and present the spoofed files to the client.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for performing data backups in a computing system. A “delta” catalog is utilized for the maintenance of data backups. The delta catalog includes a backed up object table and an extent map. For a given backup, the backed up object table update stores entries which identify only those objects backed up during that backup. The backed up object table is further configured to store entries which identify objects which were deleted between the time of a prior backup procedure and a current backup procedure. The extent map is configured identify all objects present in the system at the time of a particular backup. The extent map identifies the objects which were present as one or more sequences of entries in the backed up object table.

Abstract: A system and method for generically performing a granular restore operation from a volume image backup. A volume image backup may be booted into a virtual environment. Input may be received selecting one or more application objects of an application on the volume image backup for restore. The selected application object(s) may be retrieved from the volume image backup by a first backup system agent on the volume image backup. The selected application object(s) may be sent from the first backup system agent to a second backup system agent on a restore target. The selected application object(s) may be restored on the restore target by the second backup system agent.

Abstract: A method of creating backup files having less redundancy. The method creates a backup file by creating an overhead segment for each file that is to be backed up and creating a data segment containing the data that is to be backed up for each file. After creating the overhead segment and the data segment, the overhead segment is placed into an overhead stream data segment is stored in memory. The overhead segment is also positioned in the overhead stream with a pointer that identifies the data segment within the memory. For backups of subsequent servers or the same server at a later time, the backup software will create a separate overhead stream. However, a plurality of overhead streams may contain pointers to the same data segments such that redundant data segments do not need to be stored in a backup server.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently utilizing endpoint virtualization information during backup operations. A computer system includes a backup server that permits the identification, browsing and selecting of files within virtual layers. Examples of virtual layers comprise at least a user data layer, an applications layer, and an operating system layer. Backup messages are sent to a corresponding client computer to backup the selected files or layers. The client computer includes a virtualization agent configured to manage one or more virtual layers in the client. In response to determining the selected data corresponds to a virtual layer of the one or more virtual layers, a backup agent in the client is configured to communicate with the virtualization agent in order to identify one or more files that correspond to the virtual layer, retrieve the one or more files, and send the one or more files to the backup server.

Abstract: A system and method for generically performing a granular restore operation from a volume image backup. A volume image backup may be booted into a virtual environment. Input may be received selecting one or more application objects of an application on the volume image backup for restore. The selected application object(s) may be retrieved from the volume image backup by a first backup system agent on the volume image backup. The selected application object(s) may be sent from the first backup system agent to a second backup system agent on a restore target. The selected application object(s) may be restored on the restore target by the second backup system agent.

Abstract: A method of creating backup files having less redundancy. The method creates a backup file by creating an overhead segment for each file that is to be backed up and creating a data segment containing the data that is to be backed up for each file. After creating the overhead segment and the data segment, the overhead segment is placed into an overhead stream data segment is stored in memory. The overhead segment is also positioned in the overhead stream with a pointer that identifies the data segment within the memory. For backups of subsequent servers or the same server at a later time, the backup software will create a separate overhead stream. However, a plurality of overhead streams may contain pointers to the same data segments such that redundant data segments do not need to be stored in a backup server.

Abstract: A virtual disk can be created by using data from critical sectors of a primary physical disk. The creation of a virtual disk involves receiving sector numbers and corresponding data for critical sectors of a primary physical disk on a primary computing system, creating a virtual disk that comprises sectors, and writing data from the critical sectors of the primary physical disk into respective sectors of the virtual disk.

Abstract: A method of intelligently copying recovery points from a primary storage device to a secondary storage device is presented. The decision on how to copy the recovery points depends upon the backup copy policy as well as the availability of previous backups on the secondary storage device.

Abstract: A computer system and method for performing restore operations. A computer system includes one or more hosts. At least one host includes a backup agent. In response to a request to restore a file to a first host, a backup component identifies copies of portions of the file stored on a second host, retrieves the copies, and restores the file on the first host from the copies. The backup component maintains a catalog of entries corresponding to copies of portions of files stored on the hosts. In response to a request to restore the file to a first host, the backup component queries the catalog to identify one or more candidate locations where copies of portions of the file have been stored. The first and second hosts may be the same. The backup component may be located on a host or on a backup server.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating backup files by creating an overhead segment for each file that is to be backed up and creating a data segment containing the data that is to be backed up for each file. After creating overhead segment and the data segment, the overhead segment is placed into an overhead stream and the data segment is stored in a memory. The overhead segment is also positioned in the overhead stream with a pointer that identifies the location of the data within the memory. As such, the backup file comprises a data segment and an overhead stream.

Abstract: One or more computer systems, a carrier medium, and a method are provided for creating a catalog for backup data using NDMP file history messages. The messages are received at a first computer system (NDMP client) from a second computer system (NDMP host). Each message comprises information describing a filesystem node (a file or directory). The messages comprise hierarchy information and attribute information for the nodes. For each message comprising hierarchy information, an entry may be created for the respective node in a catalog, and the hierarchy information for the respective node may be stored in the catalog. For each message comprising attribute information, the attribute information for the respective node may be stored in the catalog. The messages may be processed in a single pass without caching them all. A carrier medium may include program instructions which, when executed, cause the above operations on one or more computer systems.