Abstract: In one example, a method includes receiving, from a client, a request for file system information, transmitting the requested file system information to the client, receiving, from the client, a request for data that includes a portion of a file that resides at the datacenter, where the file is compatible for use by an application residing at the client, where the request for data specifies a particular byte range associated with the file, and where the byte range spans a group of different backups of a baseline dataset residing at the datacenter. The example method further includes creating a virtual synthetic that is formed by the data in the requested byte range and includes respective portions of data from each of the group of backups residing at the datacenter, and transmitting the virtual synthetic to the client.

Abstract: In one example, a method includes receiving, from a client, a request for file system information, transmitting the requested file system information to the client, receiving, from the client, a request for data that includes a portion of a file that resides at the datacenter, where the file is compatible for use by an application residing at the client, where the request for data specifies a particular byte range associated with the file, and where the byte range spans a group of different backups of a baseline dataset residing at the datacenter. The example method further includes creating a virtual synthetic that is formed by the data in the requested byte range and includes respective portions of data from each of the group of backups residing at the datacenter, and transmitting the virtual synthetic to the client.

Abstract: In one example, a method is provided for presenting cloud based storage as a virtual synthetic using a FUSE module at a client. Initially, a FUSE interface of a FUSE module to request file system information from a datacenter server. After the requested file system information has been received, it is presented, with the FUSE interface, in the form of a file system interface that represents a FUSE file structure. Next, the FUSE module requests a portion of a file that resides at the datacenter. The request specifies a particular byte range associated with the file, and the byte range spans less than the entire file. The received data form a virtual synthetic that includes respective portions of data from each of a plurality of backups residing at the datacenter, and the file system interface enables client access to the virtual synthetic.