Abstract: Provided are techniques for exploiting object tags in order to produce a work order across several backup engines for a backup job. A selection of tags for an object is received. A work order for the object is created using the tags. The work order is stored with a virtual server that stores the object, wherein a data mover of a backup engine retrieves the work order from the virtual server to back up the object.

Abstract: Provided are techniques for exploiting object tags in order to produce a work order across several backup engines for a backup job. A selection of tags for an object is received. A work order for the object is created using the tags. The work order is stored with a virtual server that stores the object, wherein a data mover of a backup engine retrieves the work order from the virtual server to back up the object.

Abstract: A method for presenting options associated with restoring data is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes providing a calendar, such as a monthly calendar, showing multiple days. The method enables a user to select a day on the calendar. In response to the selection, the method automatically displays, together with the calendar, a list of restore points associated with the selected day. The method further enables a user to select a restore point in the list. In response to the selection, the method automatically displays, together with the calendar and list of restore points, a list of restore options associated with the selected restore point. The method further enables the user to select a restore option, associated with a data recovery method, from the list of restore options. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for indicating property inheritance in object hierarchies is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes enabling a user to select an object in an object hierarchy. In response, the method displays a property sheet showing property values for the selected object. The property sheet shows a property value that is inherited from an object upstream from the selected object. The method provides, on the property sheet, an icon indicating a level in the object hierarchy from which the property value is inherited, and a label indicating a source object in the object hierarchy from which the property value is inherited. The label may, in certain embodiments, incorporate a name associated with the source object and link to a property sheet associated with the source object. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for guaranteeing overwrite of expired data in a media device, the data being organized according to logical units provided on media devices organized as physical volumes. The method comprises the steps of: maintaining information associated with a status of a physical volume, and updating a physical volume's status information based upon a combination of that volume's prior status and that volume's current status; specifying a time duration that expired logical unit data may remain on a physical volume; based upon the volume's updated status information, determining whether a selected volume has expired data longer than the specified time duration; and, overwriting contents of the volume having data that has expired longer than the specified time duration.

Abstract: A method to export and then import a logical volume with assigned storage attributes, from a first information storage medium to a second information storage medium. The method maintains a logical volume in a first information storage medium. The method assigns one or more first storage attributes to that logical volume. The method further includes forming an import list logical volume. The method further includes defining a plurality second storage attributes. The method further includes importing the logical volume, and the assigned first storage attributes, into a second information storage medium. The method then determines if the import list logical volume specifies use of one or more second storage attributes. If the import list logical volume specifies use of one or more second storage attributes, then the method assigns to the logical volume those one or more second storage attributes.

Abstract: A method to form one or more premigration aggregates comprising a plurality of least recently accessed virtual volumes disposed in an information storage medium. The method determines the number (R) of virtual volumes to remove from the information storage medium, selects the (R) least recently accessed virtual volumes, forms one or more premigration aggregates comprising those least recently accessed virtual volumes, and assigns each of the (R) selected virtual volumes to one of those premigration aggregates. The method establishes a minimum transfer size and determines if any of the premigration aggregates are larger than that minimum transfer size. The method writes to one or more physical volumes each of the premigrate aggregates that are larger than the minimum transfer size. Thereafter, the method removes from the information storage medium each of the premigration aggregates written to physical volumes.

Abstract: A method to assign a premigration pseudotime attribute and a stubbing pseudotime attribute to a logical volume. The method defines a plurality of host requests, and associates with each host request a pseudotime range. The method further maintains a logical volume in a first information storage medium at a first time, and determines if a user provides a host request for that logical volume. If a user provides a host request for that logical volume, then the method assigns to the logical volume a premigration pseudotime attribute, and a stubbing pseudotime attribute, comprising a time within the pseudotime range associated with the host request. If, on the other hand, a user does not provide a host request for the logical volume, then the method assigns to that logical volume the first time as said premigration pseudotime attribute, and said first time as said stubbing pseudotime attribute.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining information in one or more virtual volume aggregates comprising a plurality of virtual volumes. The method maintains a plurality of virtual volumes in a first information storage medium, and forms one or more virtual volume aggregates, where each of the of virtual volumes is assigned to one of the virtual volume aggregates. The method further provides a plurality of second information storage media. The method then identifies the least recently used virtual volume, and writes the virtual volume aggregate comprising that least recently used virtual volume to one or more second information storage media. Thereafter, the method determines if space is required on said first information storage medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining information in one or more virtual volume aggregates comprising a plurality of virtual volumes. The method maintains a plurality of virtual volumes in a first information storage medium, and forms one or more virtual volume aggregates, where each of the of virtual volumes is assigned to one of the virtual volume aggregates. The method further provides a plurality of second information storage media. The method then identifies the least recently used virtual volume, and writes the virtual volume aggregate comprising that least recently used virtual volume to one or more second information storage media. Thereafter, the method determines if space is required on said first information storage medium.

Abstract: A method to assign a premigration pseudotime attribute and a stubbing pseudotime attribute to a logical volume. The method defines a plurality of host requests, and associates with each host request a pseudotime range. The method further maintains a logical volume in a first information storage medium at a first time, and determines if a user provides a host request for that logical volume. If a user provides a host request for that logical volume, then the method assigns to the logical volume a premigration pseudotime attribute, and a stubbing pseudotime attribute, comprising a time within the pseudotime range associated with the host request. If, on the other hand, a user does not provide a host request for the logical volume, then the method assigns to that logical volume the first time as said premigration pseudotime attribute, and said first time as said stubbing pseudotime attribute.

Abstract: A method to form one or more premigration aggregates comprising a plurality of least recently accessed virtual volumes disposed in an information storage medium. The method determines the number (R) of virtual volumes to remove from the information storage medium, selects the (R) least recently accessed virtual volumes, forms one or more premigration aggregates comprising those least recently accessed virtual volumes, and assigns each of the (R) selected virtual volumes to one of those premigration aggregates. The method establishes a minimum transfer size and determines if any of the premigration aggregates are larger than that minimum transfer size. The method writes to one or more physical volumes each of the premigrate aggregates that are larger than the minimum transfer size. Thereafter, the method removes from the information storage medium each of the premigration aggregates written to physical volumes.

Abstract: A method to export and then import a logical volume with assigned storage attributes, from a first information storage medium to a second information storage medium. The method maintains a logical volume in a first information storage medium. The method assigns one or more first storage attributes to that logical volume. The method further includes forming an import list logical volume. The method further includes defining a plurality second storage attributes. The method further includes importing the logical volume, and the assigned first storage attributes, into a second information storage medium. The method then determines if the import list logical volume specifies use of one or more second storage attributes. If the import list logical volume specifies use of one or more second storage attributes, then the method assigns to the logical volume those one or more second storage attributes.

Abstract: A system and method for guaranteeing overwrite of expired data in a media device, the data being organized according to logical units provided on media devices organized as physical volumes. The method comprises the steps of: maintaining information associated with a status of a physical volume, and updating a physical volume's status information based upon a combination of that volume's prior status and that volume's current status; specifying a time duration that expired logical unit data may remain on a physical volume; based upon the volume's updated status information, determining whether a selected volume has expired data longer than the specified time duration; and, overwriting contents of the volume having data that has expired longer than the specified time duration.