Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for efficiently creating a data fingerprint to identify or characterize contents of a data object by using a selection function to select a plurality of non-contiguous regions from the data object, the selected regions each having a small number of bytes relative to the number of bytes in the data object and being distributed throughout the data object so that the selected regions comprise a sparse subset of the data of the data object yet provide a significant probability of including bytes that change if the data object were modified; and performing a hash operation on the data to produce a fingerprint based on the sparse subset of the data object. The data fingerprint thereby efficiently provides an indication of the contents of the data object, so that comparing data fingerprints can determine if the data objects are different if the corresponding fingerprints are different.

Abstract: Systems and methods for backing-up data from a first storage pool to a second storage pool using difference information between time states are disclosed. The system has a data management engine for performing data management functions, including at least a back-up function to create a back-up copy of data. By executing a sequence of snapshot operations to create point-in-time images of application data on a first storage pool, each successive point-in-time image corresponding to a specific, successive time-state of the application data, a series of snapshots is created. The snapshots are then used to create difference information indicating which application data has changed and the content of the changed application data for the corresponding time state. This difference information is then sent to a second storage pool to create a back-up copy of data for the current time-state.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a system for managing data in accordance with service level agreements (SLAs) that specify schedules on a calendar basis for performing prescribed data management functions and for reducing inter-function redundancy. This system may include a data management engine for performing data management functions, including at least a snapshot function, and at least one back-up function. The data management engine may include a service level policy engine that receives SLAs in electronic form and which controls the scheduling of the data management functions. Each electronic SLA may be associated with a corresponding application and may specify at least one service level policy, each policy specifying a source pool, a destination pool, a copy frequency, a retention period and schedule information. A collection of policies is capable of expressing a non-uniform schedule for when a given function should be performed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for performing a plurality of prescribed data management functions in a manner that reduces redundant access operations to primary storage, where the system includes a data management engine for performing data management functions, including at least a snapshot function and a back-up function. An electronic service level agreement (SLA) specifies a schedule for performing data management functions, where point-in-time images of data include a reference to a baseline image and difference data indicating changes at a later, specific point in time. The data management system also creates a point-in-time image of the primary storage data in response to a schedule requiring some data management functions to be performed concurrently, and communicates the difference information to secondary storage to update the back-up copy of the primary data, such that the primary storage is accessed only once for all updates to the secondary storage.

Abstract: A method of attribute based resource allocation is presented. A resource such as a pool of storage has certain properties or attributes associated with portions of the pool. When a request for storage is needed, the requester provides a selection expression which comprises properties and logical operators. From the selection expression a determination is made to allocate portions of the storage pool which meet the requirements of the selection expression.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for method for transferring files between a primary storage system and a backup and restore system is described. The system generates collapsed extents which are used to specify data to be backed up to a backup and restore system. The backup and restore system backs up data based on the collapsed extents but records all extents included in the collapsed extents to enable the system to facilitate restoration of the data at a later point in time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mirroring data is provided wherein integrity of data on a mirror device is maintained during and after a restore process of data to a standard volume. Because integrity of the mirror is maintained, data from the mirror may be used to perform a later restore to the standard volume if data becomes corrupted, or data is unavailable for any other reason. As a result, the mirror may be used for backup or other operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for method for transferring files between a primary storage system and a backup and restore system is described. The system generates collapsed extents which are used to specify data to be backed up to a backup and restore system. The backup and restore system backs up data based on the collapsed extents but records all extents included in the collapsed extents to enable the system to facilitate restoration of the data at a later point in time.

Abstract: A method of attribute based resource allocation is presented. A resource such as a pool of storage has certain properties or attributes associated with portions of the pool. When a request for storage is needed, the requester provides a selection expression which comprises properties and logical operators. From the selection expression a determination is made to allocate portions of the storage pool which meet the requirements of the selection expression.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for providing snapshots of data at different times and for performing rollbacks to a selected snapshot that does not result in any subsequent snapshots being rendered unusable. The method includes a mapping mechanism wherein when a map entry for a block being written to for the first time during a session exists, then another map entry is created and all later sessions are applied to it. When a map entry for the block does not exist, a new map entry is provided and all prior sessions are applied to it.

Abstract: A method of attribute based resource allocation is presented. A resource such as a pool of storage has certain properties or attributes associated with portions of the pool. When a request for storage is needed, the requester provides a selection expression which includes properties and logical operators. From the selection expression a determination is made to allocate portions of the storage pool which meet the requirements of the selection expression.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mirroring data is provided wherein integrity of data on a mirror device is maintained during and after a restore process of data to a standard volume. Because integrity of the mirror is maintained, data from the mirror may be used to perform a later restore to the standard volume if data becomes corrupted, or data is unavailable for any other reason. As a result, the mirror may be used for backup or other operations.

Abstract: An information recovery system mounts partial database replications, such as selected tablespaces, on a target host.

Abstract: An information recovery system includes mountable data volume replications that can be examined for enhanced error detection and correction.

Abstract: An information recovery system mounts partial database replications, such as selected tablespaces, on a target host.

Abstract: An information recovery system automatically selects storage for a replication of a data volume.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for method for transferring files between a primary storage system and a backup and restore system is described. The system generates collapsed extents which are used to specify data to be backed up to a backup and restore system. The backup and restore system backs up data based on the collapsed extents but records all extents included in the collapsed extents to enable the system to facilitate restoration of the data at a later point in time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for method for transferring files between a primary storage system and a backup and restore system is described. The system generates collapsed extents which are used to specify data to be backed up to a backup and restore system. The backup and restore system backs up data based on the collapsed extents but records all extents included in the collapsed extents to enable the system to facilitate restoration of the data at a later point in time.

Abstract: Described is a technique for a backup and restoration of data in a network that includes a multi-lingual file system and a multi-lingual network file server. Multiple meta data files are associated with a single data file in the network. Provided are services for packaging the metadata as a single parameter of an application programming interface (API) for a particular data file being backed up or restored over a network. These techniques may be used in both full and incremental backups and restores of data over a network.

Abstract: An information recovery system mounts partial database replications, such as selected tablespaces, on a target host.