Abstract: An information retrieval system having: a client adapted for accessing a plurality of file sets stored on one of a plurality of file servers; a plurality of file servers configured to operate with a federated file system namespace; and a memory for storing re-direction information accessible by the client for identifying a request issued by the client for a file set at a first location in the namespace where the file set is located at a second, different location on one of the file servers and wherein the client in examining the re-direction information in the memory, re-directs the request to the second location in accordance with the re-direction information.

Abstract: Embodiments for managing resource storage for data objects are provided. In one embodiment, an aggregated user happiness (AUH) contribution for a data object is calculated by evaluating the metadata associated with the data object based on one or more AUH criteria. One or more resource storage parameters for the data object are determined based on the AUH contribution. The data object is replicated and stored on data servers based on the resource storage parameters.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring data in a library storage system. The library storage system comprises a management server including a storage policy. A media agent is connected to the management server. A plurality of storage media and a data source are connected to the media agent. The data source is divided into at least a first and a second portion of data. The portions of data are transferred from the data source to a first and second primary storage medium using a first and a second data stream respectively. The media agent then causes the first and second portion of data to be transferred from the first and second storage medium to a third auxiliary storage medium using a third combined data stream. Auxiliary copying is performed in chunks and multiple streams are copied in parallel.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a tiered storage system is disclosed that provides for failover protection during data backup operations. The system can provide for an index, or catalog, for identifying and enabling restoration of backup data located on a storage device. The system further maintains a set of transaction logs generated by media agent modules that identify metadata with respect to individual data chunks of a backup file on the storage device. A copy of the catalog and transaction logs can be stored at a location accessible by each of the media agent modules. In this manner, in case of a failure of one media agent module during backup, the transaction logs and existing catalog can be used by a second media agent module to resume the backup operation without requiring a restart of the backup process.

Abstract: A cluster network environment may comprise a plurality of nodes configured to perform various tasks, such as data I/O, storage, backup, etc. It may be advantageous to improve disaster recovery and reliability by creating backups that may be used to restore the cluster network environment and/or nodes therein. Accordingly, one or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for restoring a cluster network environment and/or nodes therein. In particular, cluster configuration data, which may be stored in a healthy node or at a remote source, may be used to restore a node affected by an integrity loss. If the integrity loss affects the cluster network environment (e.g., a majority of healthy nodes are lost), then a new cluster network environment may be created from a healthy node or a restored healthy node. The creation of the new cluster network environment may be based at least in part on cluster configuration data.

Abstract: A distributed storage network receives a data object and determines a size of the data object. The network then determines whether the data object should be segmented into fixed size segments or variable sizes segments based upon some variable-length algorithm. If the fixed approach is selected, the data object is segmented into two or more fixed size segments with attached header information and the information is further processed using error coding dispersal storage functions within the network. If the variable approach is selected, the data object is segmented into two or more variable-sized segments with attached header information and the information is further processed using error coding dispersal storage functions within the network. Both the variable and fixed approaches enable storage of error-correctable data slices in a distributed storage manner.

Abstract: Techniques for cloud data backup are disclosed. Example methods may store backup data from a client computer on portions of data storage media associated with peer computers. In some example embodiments, a file may be encoded into segments using an error-tolerant encoding scheme, and the segments may be stored on peer computers. In some example embodiments, individual segments may be stored on more than one peer machine and/or an individual peer machine may not receive all of the segments associated with the file.

Abstract: In order to back up a user's set of data (Ens) through a telecommunications network (RT), a terminal (TC) retrieves, from an application server (SA), a table (Tab) containing sets of risk factors (Frn) respectively associated with backup servers (SVn), assigns a trust level (Kn) to each backup server (SVn) identified in the table (Tab) based on the set of risk factors (Frn) associated with the backup server (SVn), selects at least three backup servers based on the trust levels (Kn) respectively assigned to the backup servers (SVn), and transmits the set of data (Ens) to each selected backup server (SVn), which saves the set of data.

Abstract: Embodiments of erasure coded storage aggregation are disclosed. The erasure coded storage aggregation includes storing a data file as erasure coded fragments in a plurality of nodes of one or more data centers. The erasure coded storage aggregation further includes monitoring an access frequency of the data file. Based on the comparison between the access frequency and a predetermined threshold, the data file is either reconstructed from the erasure coded fragments and stored in a storage node or retained as erasure coded fragments in the plurality of nodes of the one or more data centers.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a data-backup method includes partitioning a fingerprint namespace among a cluster of backup servers, the fingerprint namespace comprising fingerprints for representing units of data, each backup server of the cluster of backup servers managing units of data having fingerprints corresponding to an assigned partition of the fingerprint namespace. The method further includes receiving backup information from a client computing device for a block of data comprising units of data, the backup information including at least a fingerprint for each of the units of data and client-specific backup information. In addition, the method includes, utilizing the fingerprint for each of the units of data, deduplicating the units of data in parallel at the cluster of backup servers in accordance with the partitioning step, the deduplicating step comprising identifying ones of the units data already stored by the cluster of backup servers.

Abstract: A system for storing encrypted data comprises a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to receive an encrypted segment. The encrypted segment is determined by breaking a data stream, a data block, or a data file into one or more segments and encrypting each of the one or more segments. The processor is further configured to determine whether the encrypted segment has been previously stored, and in the event that the encrypted segment has not been previously stored, store the encrypted segment. The memory is coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods for storing a variable number of instances of data objects (e.g., 1, 2, 3, or up to N?1 instances, where N is the number of instances of the data object included in primary data) in secondary storage across a data storage network. In some examples, a system for storing a variable number of instances of data objects includes, one or more computing devices storing a set of data objects and multiple storage devices distinct from the one or more computing devices. Each of the multiple storage devices is configured to store at least a single instance of a data object. The system also includes a database configured to store information associated with the data objects. This information includes substantially unique identifiers for the data objects and, for each of the data objects, a number of instances of the data object stored on the multiple storage devices.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing latency when re-routing at least partial client communications from a first, active data center site to a second data center site due to a virtualization service disruption. Configuration data is imported from the first file virtualization device, wherein the configuration data represents object relationships and mapping information between components in the first data center site and the second data center site. An instruction is received for the back-up file virtualization device to begin handling at least one virtualization service that is disrupted at the first data center site. A most recent import of the configuration data is loaded for the one or more disrupted virtualization services and enabled such that the back-up file virtualization device performs the disrupted virtualization service with one or more storage devices in the second data center site using the at least a portion of the imported configuration data.

Abstract: A method, computer readable medium, and a system for reconstituting a virtual snapshot of files in a file virtualization system includes forming at a file virtualization device a virtual snapshot that includes a plurality of physical snapshots associated with one or more file storage devices participating in the virtual snapshot, receiving a request for performing an operation on one or more physical snapshots in the plurality of physical snapshots, providing the one or more physical snapshots in response to the request for performing the operation when the one or more physical snapshots exists in the virtual snapshot, and reconstituting the virtual snapshot by including the one or more physical snapshots to form a reconstituted virtual snapshot in response to the request for performing the operation when the one or more physical snapshots do not exist in the virtual snapshot.

Abstract: A mail saving-and-backup system including a mail server and backup servers performs a backup method. The mail server determines the degree of importance of a received email by reference to a mail-importance determination table. Subsequently, the mail server determines the number of one or more backup servers for use in saving the email, according to the degree of importance of the email by reference to a backup-server management table, in which information on the status of each of the backup servers is stored. Then, the mail server selects one or more of the backup servers for use in saving the email. The mail server sends the email to each of the selected one or more of the backup servers. Then, each of the selected one or more of the backup servers stores the email in a memory.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method includes determining a file size of each of multiple files to be included in a file system image. For each file having a file size less than a lower file size threshold of the storage device currently storing the file, the file is stashed in an alternate storage device having a throughput greater than a throughput of the current storage device. In an example embodiment, files that have sizes within a size range greater than the lower file size threshold are randomly selected for stashing in an alternate storage device. A system includes a file system image generator configured to selectively stash files based on file sizes and a lower file size threshold.

Abstract: A system for granting or denying access to nodes on a network, includes a first node including a list of nodes that can be granted or denied access to the first node, and at least one other node. The first node and the at least one other node are connected across the network. When the at least one other node attempts to gain access to the first node, the first node reviews the list of nodes to determine whether access should be granted or denied to the at least one other node.

Abstract: A technique for restoring file systems by applying full and incremental backups together while streaming them from multiple devices provides a faster system restore from a full backup where incremental backups must also be applied. A first storage device streams the full backup while at least one second storage device streams at least one incremental backup. As files are detected in the incremental backup, they are written instead of the corresponding file in the full backup. Incremental backups can be pre-merged to reduce their number to one less than a number of storage devices available to stream the backups, so that the full backup can be streamed along with the pre-merged incremental backup(s) to restore the file system.

Abstract: Techniques for cloud data backup are disclosed. Example methods may store backup data from a client computer on portions of data storage media associated with peer computers. In some example embodiments, a file may be encoded into segments using an error-tolerant encoding scheme, and the segments may be stored on peer computers. In some example embodiments, individual segments may be stored on more than one peer machine and/or an individual peer machine may not receive all of the segments associated with the file.

Abstract: A file system transfer designation section for transferring the file system matching with file system transfer rules from the first volume of the first storage apparatus to the second volume of the second storage apparatus based on the first file system transfer rules, a file system storage information manager for updating storage information of the file system in accordance with transfer of the file system by the file system transfer designation section, and transmitting the updated file system storage information, and a search information manager for updating search information for searching the files based on a file search request from the client apparatus using the file system storage information sent by the file system storage information manager are provided.

Abstract: A modular computer storage system and method is provided for managing and directing data archiving functions, which is scalable and comprehends various storage media as well as diverse operating systems on a plurality of client devices. A client component is associated with one or more client devices for generating archival request. A file processor directs one or more storage devices, through one or more media components, which control the actual physical level backup on various storage devices. Each media component creates a library indexing system for locating stored data. A management component coordinates the archival functions between the various client components and the file processor, including setting scheduling policies, aging policies, index pruning policies, drive cleaning policies, configuration information, and keeping track of running and waiting jobs.

Abstract: Provided are a system and article of manufacture for performing scheduled backups of a backup node associated with a plurality of agent nodes. Backup data sets on at least one machine in a network are associated with a backup node and a plurality of agent nodes in the network are associated with the backup node. The agent nodes are associated with machines in the network capable of backing up the backup data sets associated with the backup node. A schedule indicating a scheduled backup to backup scheduled data sets associated with the backup node is processed. At least one of the agent nodes is contacted to request the at least one agent node to perform the scheduled backup and backup the scheduled data sets, wherein the at least one contacted agent node performs the scheduled backup to backup the scheduled backup sets.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a hybrid (e.g., local and remote) approach for data backup in a networked computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment). In a typical embodiment, a set of storage configuration parameters corresponding to a set of data to be backed up is received and stored in a computer data structure. The set of storage configuration parameters can comprise at least one of the following: a recovery time objective (RTO), a recovery point objective (RPO), and a desired type of protection for the set of data. Regardless, the set of data is compared to previously stored data to identify at least one of the following: portions of the set of data that have commonality with the previously stored data; and portions of the set of data that are unique to the set of data (i.e., not in common with any of the previously stored data). The above-described process is referred to herein as “de-duplication”.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing hierarchical storage operations on electronic data in a computer network are provided. In one embodiment, the present invention may store electronic data from a network device to a network attached storage (NAS) device pursuant to certain storage criteria. The data stored on the NAS may be migrated to a secondary storage and a stub file having a pointer pointing to the secondary storage may be put at the location the data was previously stored on the NAS. The stub file may redirect the network device to the secondary storage if a read request for the data is received from the network device.

Abstract: A technique for restoring file systems by applying full and incremental backups together while streaming them from multiple devices provides a faster system restore from a full backup where incremental backups must also be applied. A first storage device streams the full backup while at least one second storage device streams at least one incremental backup. As files are detected in the incremental backup, they are written instead of the corresponding file in the full backup. Incremental backups can be pre-merged to reduce their number to one less than a number of storage devices available to stream the backups, so that the full backup can be streamed along with the pre-merged incremental backup(s) to restore the file system.

Abstract: A method for lifecycle management for file systems has several steps. At least one storage container adapted to support a file system is allocated. The at least one storage container and the file system are associated with a service class. The file system is created in the storage container. The service class is used during lifecycle actions performed on the file system. Lifecycle actions may comprise, e.g., creating, extending, replicating, moving, or migrating a file system. The service class for the file system may also be maintained for a lifecycle of the file system.

Abstract: A first write operation is intercepted. The first write operation is a write from a virtual machine to a virtual disk. The first write operation is a change to a first data location. The change to the first data location is recorded. The recording creates a first change record. The first change record is stored separately from the first data location. A first backup operation is performed. The first backup operation, the intercepting, and the recording are performed by an application executing on a host of the virtual machine. The first backup operation includes a read request for the first data location. The read request for the first data location is fulfilled based on the first change record.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing information related to backup storage activities of data storage systems. In a computer system having one or more independent backup data storage systems coupled to each other and each serving one or more clients, a user may obtain information related to backup activities of any of the backup storage systems from a single location. Through a user interface associated with any of the backup storage systems, or through a stand alone user interface, a user may manage (e.g., organize, display, print) information related to backup activities of any or all of the backup storage systems. System administrators can design and store a variety of report formats that may be utilized by any user to display or print various parameters associated with backup activities in a particular manner. Report formats may be edited by users, and displayed parameters may be dynamically updated to provide for active monitoring of one or more backup storage systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods integrate disparate backup devices with a unified interface. In certain examples, a management console manages data from various backup devices, while retaining such data in its native format. The management console can display a hierarchical view the client devices and/or their data and can further provide utilities for processing the various data formats. A data structure including fields for storing both metadata common to the client device data and value-added metadata can be used to mine or process the data of the disparate client devices. The unified single platform and interface reduces the need for multiple data management products and/or customized data utilities for each individual client device and provides a single pane of glass view into data management operations. Integrating the various types of storage formats and media allows a user to retain existing storage infrastructures and further facilitates scaling to meet long-term management needs.

Abstract: A cluster manager is configured to manage a plurality of copies of a mid-tier database as a mid-tier database cluster. The cluster manager may concurrently manage a backend database system. The cluster manager is configured to monitor for and react to failures of mid-tier database nodes. The cluster manager may react to a mid-tier database failure by, for example, assigning a new active node, creating a new standby node, creating new copies of the mid-tier databases, implementing new replication or backup schemes, reassigning the node's virtual address to another node, or relocating applications that were directly linked to the mid-tier database to another host. Each node or an associated agent may configure the cluster manager to behave in this fashion during initialization, based on common cluster configuration information. Each copy of the mid-tier database may be, for example, a memory resident database. Thus, a node must reload the entire database into memory to recover a copy of the database.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention includes retrieving and recovering data chunks from alternate data stores in a storage management system which utilizes deduplication. In one embodiment, deduplication information for data chunks of data objects is stored at a system-wide level to enable the transfer and access of data chunks stored among multiple storage pools. When a data object is accessed on a first storage pool that contains damaged or inaccessible data chunks, the undamaged and accessible chunks may be retrieved from the first storage pool, in addition to retrieving an undamaged copy of the damaged or inaccessible data chunks from alternate data storage pools. Thus, a complete data object can be retrieved or recovered with a combination of chunks from the first storage pool and other storage pools within the storage management system, without requiring the entire data object to be retrieved from a backup source.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing storage requirements and speeding up storage operations by reducing the storage of redundant data includes receiving a request that identifies one or more data objects to which to apply a storage operation. For each data object, the storage system determines if the data object contains data that matches another data object to which the storage operation was previously applied. If the data objects do not match, then the storage system performs the storage operation in a usual manner. However, if the data objects do match, then the storage system may avoid performing the storage operation.

Abstract: In a distributed RAID-1 (DR1) copy operation, operation of source and target DR1 volumes is first converted to a local-copy operating mode in which the distributed copy operation is converted into a set of local copy operations. Each t is performed at a respective location of the disks of the DR1 volumes and involves copying data of the source DR1 from a first disk to a second disk via a local second communication channel of relatively high bandwidth. Following conversion, the local copy operations are performed at the locations. Upon completion of the local copy operations, storage operations to the source and target DR1 volumes are temporarily suspended, operation of the source and target DR1 volumes is converted back to the normal operating mode, and storage operations to the source and target DR1 volumes are resumed.

Abstract: Migrating data within a storage area network is disclosed. A migration plan is created, the migration plan to move data stored in the storage area network, wherein each element of data is to be moved from a source location to a destination location according to a mapping therebetween. A virtual identifier is assigned to each mapping according to the migration plan. The migration plan is executed. Upon completion of the movement of an element of data, the virtual identifier for the mapping of that element of data is assigned to a resultant location to which that element of data is moved. Upon completion of the execution of the migration plan, the movement of the data is verified by comparing, for each element of data, the virtual identifier of the mapping and the virtual identifier of the resultant location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing hierarchical storage operations on electronic data in a computer network are provided. In one embodiment, the present invention may store electronic data from a network device to a network attached storage (NAS) device pursuant to certain storage criteria. The data stored on the NAS may be migrated to a secondary storage and a stub file having a pointer pointing to the secondary storage may be put at the location the data was previously stored on the NAS. The stub file may redirect the network device to the secondary storage if a read request for the data is received from the network device.

Abstract: A distributed heterogeneous or homogeneous file storage system divides logical responsibility for data from actual control of the data by using separate file and storage managers. Each file manager provides access to stored files and stores metadata associated with each of the files for which it is responsible. A file manager control component allocates responsibilities among file managers, assigns management responsibilities for individual files, and maintains a record of which files are assigned to each manager. Each storage manager is responsible for managing storage of files on data storage devices and maintains a record of the location of each stored file. A storage manager control component allocates responsibilities among storage managers, assigns responsibilities for individual files, and maintains a record of which files and storage devices are assigned to each manager.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for scanning files and directories in a distributed file system on a network of nodes. The nodes include metadata with attribute information corresponding to files and directories distributed on the nodes. In one embodiment, the files and directories are scanned by commanding the nodes to search their respective metadata for a selected attribute. At least two of the nodes are capable of searching their respective metadata in parallel. In one embodiment, the distributed file system commands the nodes to search for metadata data structures having location information corresponding to a failed device on the network. The metadata data structures identified in the search may then be used to reconstruct lost data that was stored on the failed device.

Abstract: A file system interface to a dispersed data storage network is disclosed. The disclosed interface accepts read and write commands from a file system resident on a user's computer and generates network commands that are forwarded to slice servers that form the storage component of the dispersed data storage network. The slice servers then fulfill the read and write commands.

Abstract: A method, computer readable medium, and a system for reconstituting a virtual snapshot of files in a file virtualization system includes forming at a file virtualization device a virtual snapshot that includes a plurality of physical snapshots associated with one or more file storage devices participating in the virtual snapshot, receiving a request for performing an operation on one or more physical snapshots in the plurality of physical snapshots, providing the one or more physical snapshots in response to the request for performing the operation when the one or more physical snapshots exists in the virtual snapshot, and reconstituting the virtual snapshot by including the one or more physical snapshots to form a reconstituted virtual snapshot in response to the request for performing the operation when the one or more physical snapshots do not exist in the virtual snapshot.

Abstract: An approach for enabling execution of data backup and restoration among a group of user devices is described. A data management platform detects at a source device, one or more peer devices capable of wireless communication with the source device. It then determines one or more of the peer devices as belonging to a backup device group according to a predetermined criterion. The data management platform 103 then designates data resident within the source device for backup and initiates transfer of the backup data to the backup device group over a wireless communication session.

Abstract: Various methods and systems for performing data deduplication when encrypting data for storage on an untrusted storage system are disclosed. One method involves generating an encryption key for use in encrypting data and generating an identifier for the data. Generation of the encryption key is based upon a hash of the data to be encrypted. Similarly, generation of the identifier is based upon the hash of the data to be generated. For example, the identifier can be generated by hashing the encryption key. The method then involves detecting whether an encrypted copy of the data is already stored by a storage system, based upon the identifier, and selectively encrypting the data, based upon whether the encrypted copy of the data is already stored by the storage system.

Abstract: A server auditing process that stores only a single up-to-date data record along with the differences relative to previous changes in the record that allow the user to move “backward in time” to recreate previous values. The auditing feature introduces a baseline database table and a difference database table for each existing database table. The baseline table stores the most recent auditing data and the differences table complements the baseline table by storing pairs in the form of attribute name and previous value. By applying difference rows to baseline data, the user is able to recreate the data as it existed at any given timestamp and at a minimal storage cost. The architecture minimizes the impact of auditing on system performance by employing an asynchronous priority queue so that task processing is deferred until the system has adequate resources and other work is not affected.

Abstract: A system and method for hybrid virtual machine monitor system is provided. A first operating system uses a file system to manage data storage and retrieval within a data storage area. A second operating system, which is not compatible with the first operating system's file system, executes a management application backup utility. The first operating system includes a filter driver that sends logical block addresses, which correspond to data reads/writes, to the management application backup utility. In turn, the management application backup utility uses the logical block addresses to perform operations on the data storage locations. In one embodiment, the management application backup utility performs actions on the data storage area, such as a disk defragmentation, and subsequently sends data location changes to the filter driver. In this embodiment, the filter driver instructs the first operating system's file system to update its translation tables based upon the data location changes.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing storage tiers for different backup types. An embodiment of a method includes receiving a backup job from a client for data on a virtualized storage node. The method also includes identifying a type of the backup job. The method also includes storing data on at least one other virtualized storage node in a first tier or a second tier. Selection between the first tier and the second tier is based on the type of the backup job.

Abstract: This disclosure enables a user to incrementally increase or decrease the size of the cluster and, in particular, to incrementally increase or decrease the number of map regions implemented in a metadata manager associated with the cluster while maintaining availability of the cluster. In a representative embodiment, a configurable target map size is identified, either manually (e.g., by the user) or programmatically. If the target map size is found to be within an acceptable value (given the available node configuration), a procedure to create a new map is triggered. The new map preferably is generated as follows. Initially, one or more new temporary region(s) are created either to split or join the existing regions (depending on whether the map is being increased or decreased). For each temporary region, the process also generates MDPL backup regions. Metadata from an original region (or regions) is then migrated to the temporary region(s).

Abstract: In order to back up a user's set of data (Ens) through a telecommunications network (RT), a terminal (TC) retrieves, from an application server (SA), a table (Tab) containing sets of risk factors (Frn) respectively associated with backup servers (SVn), assigns a trust level (Kn) to each backup server (SVn) identified in the table (Tab) based on the set of risk factors (Frn) associated with the backup server (SVn), selects at least three backup servers based on the trust levels (Kn) respectively assigned to the backup servers (SVn), and transmits the set of data (Ens) to each selected backup server (SVn), which saves the set of data.

Abstract: An “operate with missing region” feature of this disclosure allows the cluster to continue servicing reads for available regions even when some regions are missing. In particular, upon a given node failure condition, the cluster is placed in an effective read-only mode for all regions. The node failure condition typically is one where there has been a failure of an authoritative region copy and no backup copy is then available. As used herein, “read-only” means that no client write or update requests will succeed while the cluster is in this state. In particular, those requests should fail with an error message (or the like) that indicates failure because of the read-only status. Preferably, such requests are then re-tried. In this mode, all regions are only allowed to perform read operations. During the read-only state, the cluster continues to operate with missing regions, and missing regions are entered on the region map.

Abstract: An ACL, a setting table, and backup data are used to create an inter-base data sharing file system at a base permitted to share data. This enables data to be shared by bases. In a process for restoring backup data, with reference to the ACL and the setting table, a data management computer system determines whether or not each restore destination base is permitted to share data, and executes a restore process only on restore destination bases permitted to share data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing hierarchical storage operations on electronic data in a computer network are provided. In one embodiment, the present invention may store electronic data from a network device to a network attached storage (NAS) device pursuant to certain storage criteria. The data stored on the NAS may be migrated to a secondary storage and a stub file having a pointer pointing to the secondary storage may be put at the location the data was previously stored on the NAS. The stub file may redirect the network device to the secondary storage if a read request for the data is received from the network device.

Abstract: Data uploaded from a mobile unit to a remote site can be buffered at an intermediate wireless base station, allowing an initial wireless link to be rapidly terminated and freed for other uses. In one implementation, a method includes forming a wireless link between a device and a first wireless receiver site, receiving a portion of a data set from the device, relinquishing the wireless link, and then transmitting the portion of the data set from the first wireless receiver site to a service provider. In another implementation, a method includes receiving, via an intermediate wireless base station, a backup request and a portion of data to be backed up from a device. The portion of the data to be backed up is received after a wireless link between the device and the wireless base station has been terminated.