Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing file backup may include (i) detecting, by a computing device, an attempt to upload a file to a backup storage, (ii) calculating a degree of difference between the file and a previous version of the file on the backup storage, (iii) comparing, by the computing device, a list of applications that have written to the file with a list of acceptable applications for the file, (iv) calculating, based on the degree of difference and the comparison of the list of applications, a change score for the file, and (v) applying, based on the change score, a backup policy to the attempt to upload the file. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for modifying the contents of a snapshot after the snapshot has been created are disclosed. One such method involves attaching a volume filter driver to a snapshot volume. The method detects one or more modifications intended for data in a read-only snapshot. Upon detecting the modification(s) intended for data in the read-only snapshot, the method performs a write operation, which includes the modification(s), to a secondary storage device instead of a primary storage device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for selectively masking data on virtual storage devices may include (1) identifying data stored on a virtual storage device that can be accessed by a virtual machine, (2) intercepting, from a process executing outside the virtual machine, an attempt by a process of the virtual machine to read the data, (3) determining that the virtual machine process is not authorized to read the data, and (4) in response to determining that the virtual machine process is not authorized to read the data, masking the data from the virtual machine process. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for synthesizing virtual hard drives may include (1) identifying a data object as an underlying source for synthesizing a virtual hard drive to store data within the data object, (2) generating hard drive metadata for the synthetic virtual hard drive, (3) synthesizing the virtual hard drive as a representation of a virtual hard drive by associating the generated hard drive metadata with the data object as the underlying source such that a data management system is configured to: (a) direct requests for hard drive metadata of the synthetic virtual hard drive to the generated hard drive metadata, and (b) direct requests for hard drive content of the synthetic virtual hard drive to the data object as the underlying source for the synthetic virtual hard drive. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for performing incremental backups in transactional file systems. For example, one method involves performing the first stage of a multi-stage write operation, where the write operation writes a data block. The method then involves performing a backup operation. However, the backup operation does not backup the modified block, since not all stages of the multi-stage write operation have been performed. The method involves updating metadata to indicate that though the data block was modified and a backup operation was performed, the data block was not included in the backup operation. After all stages of the multi-stage write operation have completed, e.g., a transaction is committed, a subsequent backup operation is performed. The data block is backed up during the subsequent backup operation.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for selecting resources (such as of a distributed storage system) for detection of file system mounts of storage devices. For example, one method involves obtaining first information by performing an access of file information. The file information indicates attributes of data blocks stored by a storage device. The storage device includes the storage information. The first access is performed at a first time. The method also involves obtaining second information by performing another access of the file information, at a second time. The method also involves calculating a difference between the first information and the second information. The method involves determining, based on the difference, whether the device was dismounted between the first time and the second time.

Abstract: A method and system for merging files of multiple volumes in a data store to a single merged volume. The method includes creating one or more snapshots of one or more volumes of a data store of a first system. Files in the one or more snapshots are merged into a merged volume. The merged volume is mounted and stored in a second system.

Abstract: Techniques for the BIOS to install a file into the runtime environment of an operating system of a computer. A system management interrupt (SMI) handler, resident within the BIOS, receives a first request. The SMI handler identifies an address in memory at which a first file is to be stored, and determines how to access a function provided by a kernel of the operating system. The SMI handler calls the function using the address as an argument to create a thread in the runtime environment of the operating system. Upon the SMI handler receiving a request from the thread, the SMI handler stores a second file in the memory of the runtime environment of the operating system. The thread may, but need not, store the second file to a file system provided by the operating system. In this way, the BIOS need not include a driver to the file system.

Abstract: A method and system for merging files of multiple volumes in a data store to a single merged volume. The method includes creating one or more snapshots of one or more volumes of a data store of a first system. Files in the one or more snapshots are merged into a merged volume. The merged volume is mounted and stored in a second system.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for tracking changes in a storage device. For example, one method can involve receiving a request to perform an incremental backup of a storage device and backing up locations in the storage device that are identified as having been changed. The method also involves receiving information from each of the nodes, where the information identifies locations that have been changed by the nodes. The locations that have been changed include both data and metadata.

Abstract: Techniques for the BIOS to install a file into the runtime environment of an operating system of a computer. A system management interrupt (SMI) handler, resident within the BIOS, receives a first request. The SMI handler identifies an address in memory at which a first file is to be stored, and determines how to access a function provided by a kernel of the operating system. The SMI handler calls the function using the address as an argument to create a thread in the runtime environment of the operating system. Upon the SMI handler receiving a request from the thread, the SMI handler stores a second file in the memory of the runtime environment of the operating system. The thread may, but need not, store the second file to a file system provided by the operating system. In this way, the BIOS need not include a driver to the file system.