Abstract: An offline configuration simulator allows a user to model and manage a simulated data storage system. Once the simulated data storage system is properly configured, a configuration file is applied to a corresponding real data storage system. An existing configuration of the data storage system can be imported into the offline configuration system for further modification.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for facilitating copy protection. The apparatus includes a definition module, a request module, and a determination module, each coupled to a first storage sub-system. The definition module is configured to define a protection definition for a plurality of electronic storage devices of the first storage sub-system. The request module is configured to receive a copy request from a second storage sub-system. The determination module is configured to determine at the first storage sub-system a copy protection status of a destination device. The copy protection status may be indicated by the protection definition, which includes a protection indicator and may include one or more restriction indicators. The apparatus advantageously allows a user to protect a selected destination device against accidental or otherwise detrimental copying.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for backing up data. An example of the method includes querying a backup infrastructure to ascertain backup capabilities of the backup infrastructure. This example also may include broadcasting the capabilities of the backup infrastructure, wherein the capabilities are broadcasted by the backup infrastructure. This example also includes determining if the backup infrastructure supports a desired backup type. If the backup infrastructure supports a desired backup type, this example may also include performing a backup of data using the desired backup type.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for backing up data. An example of the method includes creating a description of a backup. The description of the backup may be created in response to receiving a request to perform a backup. This example also includes receiving a block of data to be backed up. This example further includes generating a packet that includes the block of data and metadata, wherein the block of data and the metadata are included in a common information protocol object. This example additionally includes transmitting the packet. This example may also include extracting the block of data from the packet, and storing the block of data on a storage device. If desired, this example may further include restoring the data block from the storage device.

Abstract: A technique for reducing the number of events that are transmitted by a server to a client in a client/server application programming interface (API). At the server host, each of different event messages is associated with at least one event category in a hierarchy of event categories. Each client host sends a registration request to the server host to inform the server host that the client host wants to receive only event messages that are associated with a specified event category. The server host associates the specified event category with each client host, and communicates only the event messages that are descendants of the specified event category.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, and program for task processing and monitoring of configuration and state information. A first server process and a second server process are detected. A first agent process is registered with the first server process. A second agent process is registered with the second server process. When a task is to be executed by the first server process, the task is executed with the first agent process. When the task is to be executed by the second server process, the task is executed with the second agent process.