Abstract: Embodiments are directed to efficiently backing up portions of data and to performing a scoped data recovery. In an embodiment, a computer system preloads data images with data corresponding to various different software applications or operating systems. The computer system chunks the data images, so that each data image is divided into multiple data chunks, and where each data chunk is represented by a hash value. The computer system then receives, from a user, portions of delta data representing data differences between the received user data and the data in the preloaded data images. The computer system also generates a logical backup representation that includes the data chunk hash values for the preloaded data images as well as the delta data received from the user. This logical representation allows restoration of the user's data using only the hash values and the delta data.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to a storage architecture. In aspects, an address provided by a data source is translated into a logical storage address of virtual storage. This logical storage address is translated into an identifier that may be used to store data on or retrieve data from a storage system. The address space of the virtual storage is divided into chunks that may be streamed to the storage system.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for backup using a metadata virtual hard drive (VHD) and a differential VHD. A particular system includes a memory device that stores files and a backup agent configured to detect changes to the files. The system includes a translation module configured to translate the detected changes into VHD formatted changes and a VHD module configured to write the VHD formatted changes to a metadata VHD stored at the memory device. The VHD module is also configured to generate a differential VHD based on the metadata VHD. A network interface at the system is configured to transmit the metadata VHD and the differential VHD to a remote storage device.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to efficiently backing up portions of data and to performing a scoped data recovery. In an embodiment, a computer system preloads data images with data corresponding to various different software applications or operating systems. The computer system chunks the data images, so that each data image is divided into multiple data chunks, and where each data chunk is represented by a hash value. The computer system then receives, from a user, portions of delta data representing data differences between the received user data and the data in the preloaded data images. The computer system also generates a logical backup representation that includes the data chunk hash values for the preloaded data images as well as the delta data received from the user. This logical representation allows restoration of the user's data using only the hash values and the delta data.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to a storage architecture. In aspects, an address provided by a data source is translated into a logical storage address of virtual storage. This logical storage address is translated into an identifier that may be used to store data on or retrieve data from a storage system. The address space of the virtual storage is divided into chunks that may be streamed to the storage system.

Abstract: A method for creating an archive protection plan for archiving a backup of data is provided. An indication of an archive data protection kind and an archive data protection duration are received. In response to receiving the archive data protection kind and the archive data protection duration, an archive scheme is determined and an archive protection plan representative of the archive scheme is generated.

Abstract: Method for scheduling a new backup job within a backup application to optimize a utilization of a media resource of said backup application. The backup application includes one or more previously scheduled backup jobs. The backup application calculates a current load of the media resource as a function of the previously scheduled backup jobs and the media resource and predicts a load value for the new backup job as a function of job parameters associated with the new backup job. Then, the backup application schedules the new backup job as a function of the calculated current load and the predicted load value such that the resulting load on the media resource will yield a minimum peak percentage utilization of the media resource.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes creating a first snapshot of at least one virtual machine at a first time. The first snapshot is created at a computing device of a cluster of computing devices configured to share the at least one virtual machine. As an example, each computing device in the cluster may modify the shared virtual machine via a direct input/output (I/O) transaction, bypassing a file-system stack. The first snapshot is transmitted to a backup device. The method includes creating a second snapshot of the at least one virtual machine at a second time and determining a set of changed data blocks associated with a difference between the second snapshot and the first snapshot. The set of changed blocks is transmitted to the backup device.

Abstract: A system and method for management of resource allocation of threads for efficient execution of instructions. Prior to dispatching decoded instructions of a first thread from the instruction fetch unit to a buffer within a scheduler, logic within the instruction fetch unit may determine the buffer is already full of dispatched instructions. However, the logic may also determine that a buffer for a second thread within the core or micro core is available. The second buffer may receive and issue decoded instructions for the first thread until the buffer is becomes unavailable. While the second buffer receives and issues instructions for the first thread, the throughput of the system for the first thread may increase due to a reduction in wait cycles.

Abstract: A system and method for management of resource allocation for speculative fetched instructions following small backward branch instructions. An instruction fetch unit speculatively prefetches a memory line for each fetched memory line. Each memory line may have a small backward branch instruction, which is a backward branch instruction that has a target instruction within the same memory line. For each fetched memory line, the instruction fetch unit determines if a small backward branch instruction exists among the instructions within the memory line. If a small backward branch instruction is found and predicted taken, then the instruction fetch unit inhibits the speculative prefetch for that particular thread. The speculative prefetch may resume for that thread after the branch loop is completed. System resources may be better allocated during the iterations of the small backward branch loop.

Abstract: Controlling data retention of a collection of data in a data store. An instruction is received to store a shadow collection of data to the data store. The data store has a previous version of the shadow collection of data. An available amount of data storage space on the data store is identified. An amount of data storage space needed is estimated for storing the shadow collection of data to the data store based on the received instruction. It is determined whether the identified available amount of data storage space is sufficient for storing the estimated amount of data storage space. The shadow collection of data is stored to the data store when said determine indicates that the identified available amount of data storage space is sufficient and the previous version is permitted to be deleted or to be overwritten.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that performs a fast-scanning operation to generate fetch bundles within an instruction fetch unit (IFU) of a processor. During operation, the system obtains a cache line containing instructions at the IFU. Next, the system performs a complete-scanning operation on the cache line to identify control transfer instructions (CTIs) in the cache line. At the same time, the system performs a fast-scanning operation to identify CTIs in a group of initial instructions in the cache line, wherein the initial instructions are executed before other instructions in the cache line. Next, the system obtains results from the fast-scanning operation before results of the complete-scanning operation are available. The system then uses results from the fast-scanning operation to form an initial fetch bundle containing initial instructions, and sends the initial fetch bundle to the instruction-issue unit.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for backup using a metadata virtual hard drive (VHD) and a differential VHD. A particular system includes a memory device that stores files and a backup agent configured to detect changes to the files. The system includes a translation module configured to translate the detected changes into VHD formatted changes and a VHD module configured to write the VHD formatted changes to a metadata VHD stored at the memory device. The VHD module is also configured to generate a differential VHD based on the metadata VHD. A network interface at the system is configured to transmit the metadata VHD and the differential VHD to a remote storage device.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method for efficiently inventorying a plurality of items of media contained in a library is provided. The method includes reading a barcode located on an item of media that contains contents and determining whether the barcode is known. Optionally, the method may also determine if the know item of media was previously offline. If it is determined that the barcode is known, the media is identified as known. However, if it is determined that the barcode is not known, a detailed inventory of the contents of the item of media is performed. In one embodiment, if it is determined that the barcode is not known, a user is notified that a new item of media has been identified.

Abstract: A method for creating an archive protection plan for archiving a backup of data is provided. An indication of an archive data protection kind and an archive data protection duration are received. In response to receiving the archive data protection kind and the archive data protection duration, an archive scheme is determined and an archive protection plan representative of the archive scheme is generated.

Abstract: A method for creating an archive protection plan for archiving a backup of data is provided. An indication of an archive data protection kind and an archive data protection duration are received. In response to receiving the archive data protection kind and the archive data protection duration, an archive scheme is determined and an archive protection plan representative of the archive scheme is generated.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that handles instruction fetch requests that return out-of-order at an IFU of a processor. During operation, the system sends a request to obtain a cache line to an instruction cache, wherein the request can be serviced and the cache line can be sent to a fetch buffer before a preceding cache line for a preceding request has returned from the instruction cache. In response to the request, the system receives the cache line from the instruction cache. Next, the system determines whether the cache line was returned out-of-order with respect to the preceding cache line. If so, the system performs an action to handle the out-of-order return.

Abstract: Data can be protected at a production server in a virtually continuous fashion, without necessarily imposing severe constraints on the source application(s). For example, a production server can create an application-consistent backup of one or more volumes, the backups corresponding to a first instance in time. A volume filter driver can monitor data changes in each volume using an in-memory bitmap, while a log file and/or update sequence number journal can keep track of which files have been added to or updated. The volume updates are also consistent for an instance (later) in time. At the next replication cycle, such as every few minutes (however configured), the volume filter driver passes each in-memory bitmap to the physical disk on the production server. The production server then sends the updates to the backup server, which thus stores application-consistent backups for the volume for multiple instances of time.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention allow clients (e.g., end-users, administrators, etc.) to associate data with one or more protection intents at the data/data source level. A backup server can then associate the data with a specific protection mechanism regardless of where the data/data source(s) are located, or regardless of how other like-data are being backed up. The backup server can then backup data that are associated with similar protection intents in a similar manner based on client specifications. The backup server can also monitor the various protection intents and associations to ensure that the protection intents are being met. For example, if the backup server identifies that data are not being backed up in accordance with their associated protection intent, the backup server can send one or more communications indicating the same, such that the protection mechanisms can be adjusted appropriately.

Abstract: A backup system in accordance with an implementation of the present invention includes one or more light-weight (i.e., stateless) storage nodes that are positioned close enough to one or more assigned production servers to enable as rapid and efficient a data recovery as possible. The one or more light-weight storage nodes are driven by, and implement backup policies in accordance with, control settings determined by and received from a centralized backup server. Changes to the control settings are simply produced at the centralized backup server and propagated to each storage node in the system. In addition to efficient backup times, general backup administration can be greatly simplified at least in part since a large number of production serves can be serviced through a small or large number of light-weight storage nodes, which in turn can be managed by a single centralized backup server.