Abstract: Machine implemented method for generating and accessing a point in time copy of an expandable storage volume in a network storage system is provided. The expandable storage volume includes a namespace for storing information for accessing data objects stored at a plurality of data constituent volumes managed by a plurality of nodes of the storage system. The method includes initiating a logical fence first for the namespace and then for the data constituent volumes for generating the point in time copy of the expandable storage volume. The logical fence filters out any information written after the fence is initiated from the point in time copy of the expandable storage volume.

Abstract: Machine implemented method and system for generating a disaster recovery copy of an expandable storage volume having a namespace for storing information for accessing data objects stored at a data constituent volume is provided. A transfer operation for transferring a point in time copy of the expandable storage volume from a first location to a second location is generated. Information regarding the expandable storage volume from the first location is retrieved and a destination expandable storage volume is resized to match components of the expandable storage volume at the first location. Thereafter, the point in time copy of the expandable storage volume is transferred from the first location to the second location and configuration information regarding the point in time copy is copied from the first location to the second location.

Abstract: A machine implemented method and system for allocating a storage volume from among a plurality of storage volumes for storing information in a storage system is provided. The storage system maintains a plurality of groups for segregating the plurality of storage volumes based on storage volume utilization at any given time. A storage volume, when available, is selected from a group that was previously used to select another storage volume. After an end of the group has been reached for allocating the other storage volume, and a threshold value for using the same group to allocate storage volumes has been reached, then another group is used to select the next storage volume.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide various techniques and systems for identifying data objects stored on clustered logical data containers. In one embodiment, a method is provided for creating a backward data object handle. In this method, a request to create a file is received, and a redirector file is created on a first logical data container based on receipt of the request. A redirector handle resulting from the creation of the redirector file is received. A data object of the file is then created on a second logical data container using the redirector handle as an identifier of the data object. This redirector handle included in the identifier then becomes a backward data object handle that points from the data object to the redirector file. As such, the redirector file can be identified by referencing the identifier of the data object.