Abstract: A method and system for restoring a computing environment from a secondary data store, and facilitating such restoration, is described. In some examples, the system copies the configuration parameters of a computing environment, such as a file system, as well as the data within the file system, and transfers the copies to secondary storage for later restoration. For example, the system may generate an xml file of the configuration parameters of the computing environment when a backup operation of the computing environment is performed, and store the xml file along with copies of the data from the computing environment in secondary storage.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method is disclosed for recovering a failed client device in a network. The method includes booting a failed one of a plurality of client devices in the network with a generic image having a generic kernel usable with each of the plurality of client devices. The method further includes downloading, using said generic kernel, from at least one backup server an abbreviated kernel uniquely associated with the failed client device, the abbreviated kernel comprising substantially less data than an original kernel of the failed client device immediately prior to failure of the failed client device, the abbreviated kernel comprising a boot kernel image and at least one device driver. The method includes swapping the abbreviated kernel with the generic kernel; restoring, using said abbreviated kernel, remaining backup data from the at least one backup server to the failed client device; and rebooting the failed client device.