Patents Assigned to Symantec Operating Corporation
  • Patent number: 8689129
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying data. In one embodiment, the method displays a summary icon at an intersection of a row and a column in a first display state. The method similarly displays the summary icon and the data represented by the summary icon by expanding a display pane to accommodate the data in a second display state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Symantec Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Kannan Ramesh Kumar, Robert A. Morganstern, W. Richard Barker
  • Patent number: 8666945
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing a securable object in a storage management system is described. In one example, a security descriptor from a securable object is obtained. At least one security identifier (SID) and an access mask are subsequently acquired from the security descriptor by a security reference monitor (SRM). Lastly, the backup process creates a database entry that associates the securable object with the at least one SID and the access mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Symantec Operating Corporation
    Inventor: Terri-Lynn Smith
  • Patent number: 8667587
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for determining a safety reputation for a network site in a manner that provides both wide coverage of potentially malicious sites as well as improves the freshness of information from which the safety reputation is derived. Community-based information, such as reports from users related to recently-visited network sites, malware detected by reporting network nodes, non-specific information such as unusual CPU usage and network activity of visiting nodes, and information received from other types of external feeds is used in determining the safety reputation and updating the safety reputation. Such information is analyzed in order to determine network sites that are potential sources of malware, which can then be subjected to more detailed analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Symantec Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Walter Bogorad, Vadim Antonov
  • Patent number: 8650371
    Abstract: A method and system for efficient space management for single-instance-storage volumes is provided. A backup module storing data within a collection of containers according to access locality and retention time of the data, wherein the retention time defines an amount of time the data is stored within the collection of containers before deletion of the data, and the access locality comprises an order in which the data is to be accessed is further provided. A compaction module compacting the stored data by selecting at least two containers among the collection of containers, wherein the selection is performed using a predetermined criteria that includes access locality and retention time of the data is also provided. The compaction module distributes the data among the at least two containers. The compaction criteria creates an imbalance among the containers to create more empty, full, or nearly full containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Symantec Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Weibao Wu, Xianbo Zhang
  • Patent number: 8639897
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Symantec Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew W. Brocco, Kirk L. Searls, Steven R. DeVos
  • Patent number: 8639660
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a database replica comprising receiving database information from a source server to create a database replica on a target server. The target server subsequently receives at least one set of update data (e.g., a transaction log) from the source server. Lastly, the target server modifies the database replica in accordance to changes detailed in the at least one set of said update data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Symantec Operating Corporation
    Inventor: Pu Ou
  • Patent number: 8639734
    Abstract: An apparatus or method in which information external to a file is used to select a directory within a file system where the file is to be stored. In one embodiment of the method a first request is received to create a first file in a file system, wherein the first request comprises a first file system path. First information is also received that describes data contained in a first data object. A first redirect file system path component is selected from a plurality of redirect file system path components in response to receiving the first information. The first file system path is then modified by adding the first redirect file system path component to the first file system path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Symantec Operating Corporation
    Inventor: Randall R. Cook
  • Patent number: 8631133
    Abstract: A method and system of providing a virtual transport session is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a virtual transport session is provided by establishing a virtual transport session between an initiator module and a target module across a network, wherein the virtual transport session comprises a transport session. Thereafter, information is transferred between the initiator module and the target module using the virtual transport session. According to another embodiment, establishing a virtual transport session between an initiator module and a target module across a network comprises associating a globally unique identifier to an initiator module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Symantec Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Ramana Jonnala, Ronald S. Karr, Dhanesh Joshi
  • Patent number: 8631103
    Abstract: A solution for remotely administering dynamic computing environments is provided. A list of administrative actions and computing devices are displayed on a user interface. The user then can select an administrative action to be performed on any number of the computing devices in the list. Once selected, a signal is sent to the remote computing environment indicating the administrative action to be performed on the selected computing devices. The administrative action is then performed on the selected computing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Symantec Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Saugata Guha, Carleton Miyamoto, Jagadish Bandhole
  • Patent number: 8620867
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Symantec Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Ankur P. Panchbudhe, Angshurpan Bezbaruah
  • Patent number: 8615482
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating and using a snapshot in data backup and/or other data services. The method creates snapshot(s) of volume(s) using a select set of Snapshot Providers, transports the snapshots to a server for processing and processes the snapshots. Processing may include creating a backup, data mining the snapshot, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Symantec Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Mark J. Nicolini, Suren Sethumadhavan
  • Patent number: 8600940
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and method for backing up data from a plurality of backup server computers in a first backup storage tier to a backup server computer in a second backup storage tier are disclosed. According to one embodiment of the method, a group of backup data sources may be associated with a writer on the backup server computer. Each backup data source may comprise data to be backed up from one of the backup server computer systems in the first backup storage tier. The writer may keep track of the write speed at which data from the group of backup data sources is written to a target storage device, and the number of backup data sources in the group may be automatically adjusted based on the write speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Symantec Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Milton Gilpin, Claudia Lynne Rudolph
  • Patent number: 8577845
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a backup application transmits a remote request to a virtual machine that includes an application to be backed up. The request solicits metadata from the application that describes a structure of the data stored by the application on the virtual storage devices of the virtual machine. Using the metadata, the backup application may identify objects within the virtual machine. Accordingly, a granular restore of data to the virtual machine may be possible without installing backup software within the virtual machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Symantec Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Sinh D. Nguyen, Timothy M. Naftel
  • Patent number: 8572055
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for efficient storage of small files in a segment-based deduplication scheme by allocating multiple small files to a single data segment is provided. A mechanism for distinguishing between large files (e.g., files that are on the order of the size of a segment or larger) and smaller files, and starting a new segment at the beginning of a large file is also provided. A file attribute-based system for determining an identity of a small file at which to begin a new segment and then allocating subsequent small files to that segment and contiguous segments until a next small file having an appropriate attribute subsequently is encountered to begin a new segment is further provided. In one aspect of the present invention a filename hash is used for file attribute analysis to determine when a new segment should begin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Symantec Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Weibao Wu, Michael John Zeis
  • Patent number: 8566298
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sharing an exclusive lock for a resource amongst a defined plurality of applications. A first application to lock a resource is given a key. The first application may provide the key to other applications to allow those applications to simultaneously access the locked resource. Generally, the first application will only provide keys to applications that are compatible with the first application such that the applications having keys to a resource will be able to simultaneously access the resource without conflict.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Symantec Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Sree Hari Nagaralu, Milind Borate, Murali Nagaraj
  • Patent number: 8566617
    Abstract: The payload of a set of storage devices is encrypted using a payload key that is stored within the set of storage devices itself. However, the payload key is obtainable only if a user has access to n of the storage devices. A first set of keys can be distributed among a set of n storage devices, such that each key is usable to encrypt and/or decrypt a key stored on a different one of the n storage devices. The first set of keys is usable to encrypt portions of the information needed to regenerate another key (e.g., the payload key or a key used to encrypt the payload key). A different portion of the information needed to regenerate the other key is stored on each of the n storage devices. Accordingly, the other key cannot be obtained unless the user has access to all n storage devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Symantec Operating Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas G. Clifford
  • Patent number: 8561196
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for assembling and publishing frequent malware signature definition updates through the use of additive or “streaming” definition packages is provided. Embodiments of the present invention provide such functionality by publishing not only full malware signature definition updates on a long periodicity but also streaming malware signature definition updates containing newly certified signature definitions on a short periodicity. As newly-certified malware signature definitions are received, those newly-certified signature definitions are incorporated not only in the full signature definition file but also in a streaming signature definition update that contains only newly-certified signature definitions received during a streaming update period. At the end of the streaming update period, a streaming signature definition file is made available by publication to anti-malware clients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Symantec Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Petrus Johannes Viljoen, Jens Meggers
  • Patent number: 8543784
    Abstract: Various techniques for coordinating the resource allocation and management capabilities of a backup application with the power saving features provided by a storage array are disclosed. One method involves accessing power management information associated with a logical storage unit (LSU) and image property information that indicates a future pattern of access to a backup image. The method also involves selecting the LSU, based upon both the power management information and the image property information, and then causing the backup image to be written to the LSU. Another method, performed by a backup module, involves receiving power management information associated with a storage array, selecting a logical storage unit (LSU) implemented on the storage array, based upon the power management information, and performing a backup storage management operation on the LSU, in response to selecting the LSU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Symantec Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas G. Clifford, Donald C. Peterson, Shelley A Schmokel
  • Patent number: 8521973
    Abstract: A storage management device can receive a request for a modification history for a location within a data store, determine one or more times at which at least a portion of data stored at the location was modified, and transmit the one or more determined times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Symantec Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Rowan, Kevin Rogers
  • Patent number: 8510389
    Abstract: Various methods and systems for automatically ranking electronic communications such as emails based on both content and social factors are disclosed. One method assigns a rank to an electronic communication, where assigning the rank involves both assigning a content-based rank to the electronic communication and assigning a social rank to the electronic communication. The rank assigned to the electronic communication can include both the content-based and social rank. Alternatively, the rank can be derived from the content-based and social ranks (e.g., the rank can be an average of the content-based and social ranks).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Symantec Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Subramanyam Venkata Gurajada, Ankur P. Panchbudhe, Amol S. Katkar