Abstract: The invention is a hierarchical backup system. The interconnected network computing devices are put into groups of backup cells. A backup cell has a manager software agent responsible maintaining and initiating a backup regime for the network computing devices in the backup cell. The backups are directed to backup devices within the backup cell. Several backup cells can be defined. A manager software agent for a particular cell may be placed into contact with the manager software agent of another cell, by which information about the cells may be passed back and forth. Additionally, one of the software agents may be given administrative control over another software agent with which it is in communication.

Abstract: The invention is a hierarchical backup system. The interconnected network computing devices are put into groups of backup cells. A backup cell has a manager software agent responsible maintaining and initiating a backup regime for the network computing devices in the backup cell. The backups are directed to backup devices within the backup cell. Several backup cells can be defined. A manager software agent for a particular cell may be placed into contact with the manager software agent of another cell, by which information about the cells may be passed back and forth. Additionally, one of the software agents may be given administrative control over another software agent with which it is in communication.

Abstract: The invention is a hierarchical backup system. The interconnected network computing devices are put into groups of backup cells. A backup cell has a manager software agent responsible maintaining and initiating a backup regime for the network computing devices in the backup cell. The backups are directed to backup devices within the backup cell. Several backup cells can be defined. A manager software agent for a particular cell may be placed into contact with the manager software agent of another cell, by which information about the cells may be passed back and forth. Additionally, one of the software agents may be given administrative control over another software agent with which it is in communication.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for selectively deleting data stored to storage media, such as a tape, in a network storage system. An instruction to delete selected data is received and the location of the data selected for deletion is identified. The location of the data is obtained by consulting an index of storage data. The selected data is retrieved, together with any other data on the tape that precedes the selected data. The retrieved data, excluding the selected data, is copied to a tape. The index is updated to reflect the changes in the stored data on the tape.

Abstract: A modular computer storage system and method is provided for managing and directing data archiving functions, which is scalable and comprehends various storage media as well as diverse operating systems on a plurality of client devices. A client component is associated with one or more client devices for generating archival request. A file processor directs one or more storage devices, through one or more media components, which control the actual physical level backup on various storage devices. Each media component creates a library indexing system for locating stored data. A management component coordinates the archival functions between the various client components and the file processor, including setting scheduling policies, aging policies, index pruning policies, drive cleaning policies, configuration information, and keeping track of running and waiting jobs.

Abstract: A data retrieval system comprising a first computing device communicatively coupled to a second computing device; the first computing device having a processor that supports operation of at least one software application that is used for retrieving data; the second computing device communicatively coupled to one or more storage media; the software application having a retrieval module for retrieving data from the one or more storage media; a storage and backup map that maps to the second computing device; and a data index stored on the second computing device that indicates to the retrieval module a particular location of the data that is to be retrieved by the retrieval module.

Abstract: A data retrieval system comprising a first computing device communicatively coupled to a second computing device; the first computing device having a processor that supports operation of at least one software application that is used for retrieving data; the second computing device communicatively coupled to one or more storage media; the software application having a retrieval module for retrieving data from the one or more storage media; a storage and backup map that maps to the second computing device; and a data index stored on the second computing device that indicates to the retrieval module a particular location of the data that is to be retrieved by the retrieval module.

Abstract: The invention is a modular backup and retrieval system. The software modules making up the backup and retrieval system run independently, and can run either on the same computing devices or on different computing devices. The modular software system coordinates and performs backups of various computing devices communicating to the modules. At least one module on one of the computing devices acts as a system manager for a network backup regimen. A management component acts as a manager for the archival and restoration of the computing devices on the network. It manages and allocates library media usage, maintains backup scheduling and levels, and supervises or maintains the archives themselves through pruning or aging policies. A second software module acts as a manager for each particular library media.

Abstract: The invention is a hierarchical backup system. The interconnected network computing devices are put into groups of backup cells. A backup cell has a manager software agent responsible maintaining and initiating a backup regime for the network computing devices in the backup cell. The backups are directed to backup devices within the backup cell. Several backup cells can be defined. A manager software agent for a particular cell may be placed into contact with the manager software agent of another cell, by which information about the cells may be passed back and forth. Additionally, one of the software agents may be given administrative control over another software agent with which it is in communication.

Abstract: The invention is a hierarchical backup system. The interconnected network computing devices are put into groups of backup cells. A backup cell has a manager software agent responsible maintaining and initiating a backup regime for the network computing devices in the backup cell. The backups are directed to backup devices within the backup cell. Several backup cells can be defined. A manager software agent for a particular cell may be placed into contact with the manager software agent of another cell, by which information about the cells may be passed back and forth. Additionally, one of the software agents may be given administrative control over another software agent with which it is in communication.

Abstract: The invention is a modular backup and retrieval system. The software modules making up the backup and retrieval system run independently, and can run either on the same computing devices or on different computing devices. The modular software system coordinates and performs backups of various computing devices communicating to the modules. Actions of modules on one of the computing devices acts as a system manager for a network backup regimen. A management component acts as a manager for the archival and restoration of the computing devices on the network. It manages and allocates library media usage, maintains backup scheduling and levels, and supervises or maintains the archives themselves through pruning or aging policies. The management component is not hard wired in its functionality, but may adapt to changing circumstances in these policies. A second software module acts as a manager for each particular library media.

Abstract: A modular computer storage system and method is provided for managing and directing data archiving functions. A client component is associated with one or more client devices for generating archival request. A file processor directs one or more storage devices, through one or more media components, which control the actual physical level backup on various storage devices. Each media component creates a library indexing system for locating stored data. A management component coordinates the archival functions between the various client components and the file processor, including setting scheduling policies, aging policies, index pruning policies, drive cleaning policies, configuration information, and keeping track of running and waiting jobs. The management component also keeps the scheduling information for a timetable of backups of the client devices and allocates storage space. The modular computer storage system may also work in conjunction with a Storage Area Network.

Abstract: A data retrieval system comprising a first computing device communicatively coupled to a second computing device; the first computing device having a processor that supports operation of at least one software application that is used for retrieving data; the second computing device communicatively coupled to one or more storage media; the software application having a retrieval module for retrieving data from the one or more storage media; a storage and backup map that maps to the second computing device; and a data index stored on the second computing device that indicates to the retrieval module a particular location of the data that is to be retrieved by the retrieval module.

Abstract: A storage management system that manages the storage and retrieval of digital files. The storage management system includes a plurality of storage devices that may be located in different time zones. The system also includes a processor that is configured to maneuver the digital files among the plurality of storage devices according to commands that are received from software programs that operate on the processor. In one embodiment, the system includes a retrieval control while in another embodiment a storage control is included. Either embodiment takes into account the different problems that are introduced when the plurality of storage devices are located in different time zones.

Abstract: A data retrieval system that includes a computer system having a processor that supports operation of at least one software application that is used for retrieving data in the computer system. A plurality of storage media are communicatively coupled to the processor with the plurality of storage media having data stored in at least one of the plurality of storage media. The software application has a retrieval module for retrieving data from the plurality of storage media, and a storage and backup map is included that indicates to the retrieval module a particular location of the data that is to be retrieved by the retrieval module.

Abstract: A computer storage system having a processor that supports operation of at least one software application in order to store selected data in the computer storage system, at least one storage media for storing the selected data, a plurality of storage policies, each having particular storage guidelines, that are available to determine how data is to be stored in the computer storage system, and a storage control that interacts with the at least one software application of the processor to determine which of the plurality of storage policies to use for storage of the selected data and that stores the selected data according to the selected storage policy. In one embodiment, the storage control of the computer storage system migrates the selected data from one of the at least one storage media to another of the at least one storage media according to the selected storage policy.

Abstract: A data retrieval system that includes a computer system having a processor that supports operation of at least one software application that is used for retrieving data in the computer system. A plurality of storage media are communicatively coupled to the processor with the plurality of storage media having data stored in at least one of the plurality of storage media. The software application has a retrieval module for retrieving data from the plurality of storage media, and a storage and backup map is included that indicates to the retrieval module a particular location of the data that is to be retrieved by the retrieval module.

Abstract: A computer storage system having a processor that supports operation of at least one software application in order to store selected data in the computer storage system, at least one storage media for storing the selected data, a plurality of storage policies, each having particular storage guidelines, that are available to determine how data is to be stored in the computer storage system, and a storage control that interacts with the at least one software application of the processor to determine which of the plurality of storage policies to use for storage of the selected data and that stores the selected data according to the selected storage policy. In one embodiment, the storage control of the computer storage system migrates the selected data from one of the at least one storage media to another of the at least one storage media according to the selected storage policy.

Abstract: A storage management system that manages the storage and retrieval of digital files. The storage management system includes a plurality of storage devices that may be located in different time zones. The system also includes a processor that is configured to maneuver the digital files among the plurality of storage devices according to commands that are received from software programs that operate on the processor. In one embodiment, the system includes a retrieval control while in another embodiment a storage control is included. Either embodiment takes into account the different problems that are introduced when the plurality of storage devices are located in different time zones.