Abstract: A computer-implemented method for creating reference-based synthetic backups. The method may include identifying a first set of references that identify data of a first backup. The first backup may represent at least a portion of a data set at a first time. The method may also include identifying a second set of references that identify data of a second backup. The second backup may represent changes made to the data set between the first time and a second time. The method may further include creating a synthetic backup that represents at least a portion of the data set at the second time by aggregating one or more references from the first set of references and one or more references from the second set of references. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing a de-duplication rate for backup streams is described. In one embodiment, the method for optimizing data de-duplication using an extent mapping of a backup stream includes processing a backup stream to access an extent mapping associated with a plurality of data files, wherein the plurality of the data files are arranged within the backup stream and examining the extent mapping to identify at least one extent group within the backup stream, wherein the plurality of the data files are de-duplicated using at least one location of the at least one extent group.