Abstract: A system and method for defining retention and lifecycle policies for data backups. A media server supports a recovery-chain-based retention policy for data lifecycle management (DLM) on a first tier of a multi-tier storage system. A recovery chain includes full backup data and at least one partial backup data. The recovery chain is maintained on the first tier until it is expired due to a new full backup operation being performed and corresponding full backup data being stored on the first tier. Based on another retention policy, the media server identifies given backup data corresponding to a recovery chain that qualifies for migration from the first tier. However, the media server determines the recovery chain includes the given backup data and other backup data that does not yet qualify for migration. In response, the media server maintains a copy of the given backup data on the first tier.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for maintaining remote backups of reverse-incremental backup datasets may include (1) receiving a request to replicate a reverse-incremental backup dataset of a data source (e.g., a local full backup of the data source and/or at least one reverse incremental backup of the data source) from a primary storage system to a secondary storage system and (2) generating, in response to receiving the request, a forward-incremental backup dataset of the data source (e.g., a remote full backup of the data source and/or at least one forward incremental backup of the data source) on the secondary storage system based at least in part on the reverse-incremental backup dataset. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for efficient dynamic browsing of virtualized backup images. A client computer sends to a backup server a request to open a browse session for a given backup image stored on a backup medium which may be a virtual disk file. The virtual disk file is typically locked by a hypervisor for protection against consistency problems. A backup application creates a virtual copy for the given backup image if it doesn't already exist. The backup application directs each of a virtual file filter and the hypervisor to open the virtual copy in order to obtain information for later redirections and to create a lock file for the virtual copy. The backup application and the virtual file filter route access requests to the given backup image and the virtual copy based on the of access request.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method for backing up heterogeneous virtual environments may include (1) identifying a request to back up a virtual machine executing on a host system, (2) creating a storage map of a virtual storage environment of the virtual machine by (a) identifying, from the host system, a virtual disk file that stores data for the virtual machine and (b) identifying, from a guest system operating within the virtual machine, one or more virtual storage devices that store data for the virtual machine, and (3) creating a unified backup of the virtual machine based on the storage map of the virtual storage environment by coordinating a backup operation of the virtual disk file with a backup operation of the virtual storage device. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for simplifying data restoration using resource types. The method may include (1) receiving a request from a user to perform a data restoration operation, (2) providing a graphical user interface that presents to the user a plurality of resource types that can be restored by the user, (3) receiving, from the user via the graphical user interface, a selection that identifies a resource type that the user desires to restore, (4) presenting, to the user via the graphical user interface, at least one backup set associated with the identified resource type from which the user may restore data, (5) receiving, from the user via the graphical user interface, a selection that identifies a backup set that the user desires to restore, and (6) restoring data from the identified backup set. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for restoring site collections stored in different content databases of a web application are disclosed. A restoration GUI may be displayed. Displaying the restoration GUI may include determining a plurality of databases used for the web application. For each respective database of the plurality of databases, one or more site collections stored in the database may be determined. Displaying the graphical user interface may further comprise displaying an aggregated view of the site collections stored in each database of the plurality of databases. The aggregated view may enable each site collection to be selected for restoration.

Abstract: A system and method for restoring multiple content databases of a web application are disclosed. A restoration GUI may indicate one or more available recovery times. User input selecting a particular recovery time may be received. The selected recovery time may correspond to a first time when a first database was backed up. The system may determine that the web application also included one or more other databases in addition to the first database at the first time. Information indicating the first database together with the one or more other databases may be displayed in association with the selected recovery time in the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A system and method for restoring site collections stored in different content databases of a web application are disclosed. A restoration GUI may be displayed. Displaying the restoration GUI may include determining a plurality of databases used for the web application. For each respective database of the plurality of databases, one or more site collections stored in the database may be determined. Displaying the graphical user interface may further comprise displaying an aggregated view of the site collections stored in each database of the plurality of databases. The aggregated view may enable each site collection to be selected for restoration.

Abstract: A system and method for restoring multiple content databases of a web application are disclosed. A restoration GUI may indicate one or more available recovery times. User input selecting a particular recovery time may be received. The selected recovery time may correspond to a first time when a first database was backed up. The system may determine that the web application also included one or more other databases in addition to the first database at the first time. Information indicating the first database together with the one or more other databases may be displayed in association with the selected recovery time in the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A system uses one or more processors and an interface to a backup repository to generate a set of backup objects for a point in time, store the set of backup objects in the backup repository, and store mapping information usable to retrieve appropriate backup objects when desired. A first map relates one or more applications to objects used by the applications. A second map relates the objects to corresponding data blocks or other data locations on volumes. A third map relates the data locations to corresponding backup objects for the point in time.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for synthetic backups may include identifying a full backup of a volume of files. The computer-implemented method may also include identifying a set of incremental backups that were performed subsequently to the full backup. The computer-implemented method may further include identifying a set of storage devices that store the full backup and the set of incremental backups. The computer-implemented method may additionally include identifying a request to create a synthetic backup incorporating the full backup and the set of incremental backups. The computer-implemented method may moreover include generating a sorted catalog for the synthetic backup by indexing files for the synthetic backup in an order based on at least one characteristic of the files.