Abstract: A method of allocating data to a storage block included in a storage network may include determining a plurality of characteristics associated with a storage block included in a storage network. The plurality of characteristics may include storage capacity of the storage block, available storage space of the storage block, likelihood of loss of data stored on the storage block, availability of the storage block with respect to the storage network, and use of the storage block. The method may further include allocating data to the storage block based on the plurality of characteristics.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to display a blended set of thumbnail images. A first subset of thumbnail images may include one or more thumbnail images that correspond with images stored at a local storage location. A second subset of thumbnail images may include one or more thumbnail images that correspond with images stored at a remote storage location. A request may be received to display a first image corresponding with the first subset of thumbnail images; whereupon the first image may be displayed. A request may be received to display a second image corresponding with the second image of the second subset of thumbnail images. The second thumbnail image may be displayed while the second image is requested. The second image may then be displayed in place of the second thumbnail image.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for determining the health of a storage network of electronic devices. In some embodiments, the method may include determining a data size of a catalogue of data items stored in one or more electronic devices within a network of electronic devices; determining a storage capacity of the network of electronic devices; determining a storage health of the network of electronic devices based on the data size of the catalogue of data items and the storage capacity of the one or more electronic devices; and outputting the storage health of the network of electronic devices.

Abstract: According to an aspect of an embodiment, a method of retrieving data in a storage network may include determining a list of storage blocks of a storage network for potential retrieval of a data file for storage on a first storage block of the storage network. The determining may be based on two or more of: assignment information of the data file as assigned by a storage network manager, location information, device types, peer-to-peer reachability, network information, and presence information. The method may also include attempting to retrieve the data file from a second storage block included in the list of storage blocks for storage on the first storage block. Further, the method may include attempting to retrieve the data file from a third storage block included in the list of storage blocks for storage on the first storage block when retrieval from the second storage block fails.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for determining the health of a storage network of electronic devices. In some embodiments, the method may include determining a data size of a catalog of data items stored in one or more electronic devices within a network of electronic devices; determining a storage capacity of the network of electronic devices; determining a storage health of the network of electronic devices based on the data size of the catalog of data items and the storage capacity of the one or more electronic devices; and outputting the storage health of the network of electronic devices.

Abstract: A method of allocating data to a storage block included in a storage network may include determining a plurality of characteristics associated with a storage block included in a storage network. The plurality of characteristics may include storage capacity of the storage block, available storage space of the storage block, likelihood of loss of data stored on the storage block, availability of the storage block with respect to the storage network, and use of the storage block. The method may further include allocating data to the storage block based on the plurality of characteristics.

Abstract: A method of allocating data to a storage block included in a storage network may include determining a plurality of characteristics associated with a storage block included in a storage network. The plurality of characteristics may include storage capacity of the storage block, available storage space of the storage block, likelihood of loss of data stored on the storage block, availability of the storage block with respect to the storage network, and use of the storage block. The method may further include allocating data to the storage block based on the plurality of characteristics.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for determining the health of a storage network of electronic devices. In some embodiments, the method may include determining a data size of a catalogue of data items stored in one or more electronic devices within a network of electronic devices; determining a storage capacity of the network of electronic devices; determining a storage health of the network of electronic devices based on the data size of the catalogue of data items and the storage capacity of the one or more electronic devices; and outputting the storage health of the network of electronic devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to display a blended set of thumbnail images. A first subset of thumbnail images may include one or more thumbnail images that correspond with images stored at a local storage location. A second subset of thumbnail images may include one or more thumbnail images that correspond with images stored at a remote storage location. A request may be received to display a first image corresponding with the first subset of thumbnail images; whereupon the first image may be displayed. A request may be received to display a second image corresponding with the second image of the second subset of thumbnail images. The second thumbnail image may be displayed while the second image is requested. The second image may then be displayed in place of the second thumbnail image.

Abstract: According to an aspect of an embodiment, a method of retrieving data in a storage network may include determining a list of storage blocks of a storage network for potential retrieval of a data file for storage on a first storage block of the storage network. The determining may be based on two or more of: assignment information of the data file as assigned by a storage network manager, location information, device types, peer-to-peer reachability, network information, and presence information. The method may also include attempting to retrieve the data file from a second storage block included in the list of storage blocks for storage on the first storage block. Further, the method may include attempting to retrieve the data file from a third storage block included in the list of storage blocks for storage on the first storage block when retrieval from the second storage block fails.

Abstract: A method of allocating data to a storage block included in a storage network may include determining a plurality of characteristics associated with a storage block included in a storage network. The plurality of characteristics may include storage capacity of the storage block, available storage space of the storage block, likelihood of loss of data stored on the storage block, availability of the storage block with respect to the storage network, and use of the storage block. The method may further include allocating data to the storage block based on the plurality of characteristics.

Abstract: A method of allocating data to a storage block included in a storage network may include determining a plurality of characteristics associated with a storage block included in a storage network. The plurality of characteristics may include storage capacity of the storage block, available storage space of the storage block, likelihood of loss of data stored on the storage block, availability of the storage block with respect to the storage network, and use of the storage block. The method may further include allocating data to the storage block based on the plurality of characteristics.

Abstract: A method of distributing data through a storage network may include allocating data stored on a host storage block for storage on a target storage block. The host storage block and the target storage block may be included in a storage network that also includes one or more other storage blocks. The method may further include determining a plurality of characteristics of one or more of: the one or more other storage blocks and one or more devices associated with the one or more other storage blocks. Additionally, the method may include determining a distribution strategy for distributing the data from the host storage block to the target storage block based on the plurality of characteristics.

Abstract: A method of allocating data to a storage block included in a storage network may include determining a plurality of characteristics associated with a storage block included in a storage network. The plurality of characteristics may include storage capacity of the storage block, available storage space of the storage block, likelihood of loss of data stored on the storage block, availability of the storage block with respect to the storage network, and use of the storage block. The method may further include allocating data to the storage block based on the plurality of characteristics.

Abstract: A method of allocating data to a storage block included in a storage network may include determining a plurality of characteristics associated with a storage block included in a storage network. The plurality of characteristics may include storage capacity of the storage block, available storage space of the storage block, likelihood of loss of data stored on the storage block, availability of the storage block with respect to the storage network, and use of the storage block. The method may further include allocating data to the storage block based on the plurality of characteristics.