Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a federated backup involving the coordination and synchronization of backup and restore operations among a plurality of hosts to ensure data consistency. A master node (backup host) acts as the initiator, coordinator, controller, and possibly as primary console for the entire backup and restore operation. All other worker application hosts and/or worker backup hosts operate as worker nodes and perform various backup and restore steps as directed by the master node. Centralized error handling aborts or recovers the entire backup operation in the event of failure on any one node. In addition, a logical view of the data is provided such that the backup can be managed as one entity, while backing up the data of each node. The backup workload may also be distributed to any other dedicated worker backup hosts (nodes) in order to minimize the impact to the production environment.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for backing up files, which for example, includes, scanning at least one directory; creating a first list comprising all files at a time t1 in the scanned at least one directory; saving values of a plurality of attributes, corresponding at the time t1, with each file in the first group of files, to create a first snapshot; backing up the files in the first group of files; scanning the at least one directory after backing up the files in the first group of files; creating a second list comprising all files at a time t2 in the scanned at least one directory; saving values of the plurality of attributes, corresponding at the time t2, with each file in the second group of files, to create a second snapshot; and comparing the first snapshot with the second snapshot.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a federated backup involving the coordination and synchronization of backup and restore operations among a plurality of hosts to ensure data consistency. A master node (backup host) acts as the initiator, coordinator, controller, and possibly as primary console for the entire backup and restore operation. All other worker application hosts and/or worker backup hosts operate as worker nodes and perform various backup and restore steps as directed by the master node. Centralized error handling aborts or recovers the entire backup operation in the event of failure on any one node. In addition, a logical view of the data is provided such that the backup can be managed as one entity, while backing up the data of each node. The backup workload may also be distributed to any other dedicated worker backup hosts (nodes) in order to minimize the impact to the production environment.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture, wherein image data corresponding to data stored in a storage unit is stored in a backup set. Metadata that indicates deletions made to files and directories in the storage unit is stored in the backup set, subsequent to the storing of the image data in the backup set. Additions and modifications made to the files and the directories in the storage unit are stored in the backup set, subsequent to the storing of the metadata in the backup set. The data stored in the storage unit is recovered from the backup set.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for merging metadata on files in a backup storage. A query is received for information on files from a file system for a client node. A determination is made of metadata for files in a backup storage for the client node stored external to backup sets. At least one backup set in the backup storage for the client node is processed to determine metadata for files included in at least one backup set. The determined metadata for files in the backup storage and for files included in at least one backup set is merged to form merged metadata. The query is executed against the merged metadata to determine files whose metadata satisfies the query. Results including information from the merged metadata on the determined files are returned.

Abstract: Provided are a method, a system, an article of manufacture, and a computer program product, wherein a first set of backup data is stored in a first computational device and a second set of backup data is stored in a second computational device. Metadata corresponding to the first set of backup data is maintained in the second computational device. The first set of backup data is reconciled with the second set of backup data based on the metadata.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for managing retention of stored objects. A modification request is received with respect to a stored object. A determination is made as to whether a retention protection mechanism is set and a storage policy associated with the stored object is processed to determine whether the stored object has expired according to the storage policy in response to determining that the retention protection mechanism is set. The modification request is allowed to proceed in response to determining that the stored object has expired.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program 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: Provided are a method, system, and program for authenticating a node requesting another node to perform work on behalf of yet another node. A plurality of agent nodes in the network are associated with a multi-node, wherein the agent nodes are associated with machines in the network capable of performing operations on behalf of the multi-node. A target node receives a request from a calling node for the target node to perform operations on behalf of the multi-node, wherein the target node is one of the agent nodes associated with the multi-node. The target node determines whether the calling node is one of the agent nodes associated with the multi-node and determines whether the calling node is capable of authenticating with a server. The target node performs the operations requested by the calling node in response to determining that the calling node is associated with the multi-node and is capable of authenticating with the server.

Abstract: The present invention includes one or more clients in communication with a server. The client desires to send a storage construct to the server for storage. The client negotiates a transmission key with the server. The client generates a storage key associated specifically with the storage construct. The client encrypts the storage construct using the storage key and encrypts the storage key using the transmission key. The encrypted storage construct and encrypted storage key are sent to the server. The server decrypts the storage key using the transmission key. The server stores the storage construct on a storage device separate from a storage device storing the storage key. Preferably, any changes to the storage construct location, the storage key location, or the storage construct name are tracked and proper modifications are made to an association relating the location of the storage construct and the location for the corresponding storage key.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for establishing an agency relationship to perform delegated computing tasks. The apparatus system and method provide for initiation of the agency relationship, establishment of credentials to perform a delegated computing task, and performance of the delegated computing task. Benefits of establishing an agency relationship in a computing environment include improved security, efficiency, and reliability in performing delegated computing tasks.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for ensuring consistency of a group, which for example, includes receiving a first list that identifies objects in the group, and gathering for at least one attribute, the value of the attribute for each object in the first list. The first list, and the attribute values gathered in the gathering operation, are stored to create a first snapshot. This example also includes receiving a second list that identifies objects that are in the group after at least part of a task is performed, and the value after at least part of the task is performed of the at least one attribute for each object identified in the second list. The second list and the received attribute values are stored to create a second snapshot, which is compared with the first snapshot.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for managing retention of stored objects. A modification request is received with respect to a stored object. A determination is made as to whether a retention protection mechanism is set and a storage policy associated with the stored object is processed to determine whether the stored object has expired according to the storage policy in response to determining that the retention protection mechanism is set. The modification request is allowed to proceed in response to determining that the stored object has expired.