Abstract: An illustrative cloud-based air-gapped data storage management (destination) system obtains authorized access to other (source) systems'backup copies, replicates those copies within the destination system, parses supplemental metadata included in the source backup copies, and integrates the replica copies into the destination system as though natively created there. Replica copies are integrated as backup copies without first restoring the source backup copies to a native data format. The source system lacks knowledge of or connectivity with the destination system, thus maintaining an “air gap” between the systems. The destination system preferably operates in a cloud computing environment. The destination system uses supplemental metadata from the replica copies to re-create or mimic the source's computing environment and to restore backed up data from the replica copies.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and associated methods are disclosed, including components such as a client cloud computing environment, client computing devices, media agents, and a secondary storage subsystem managed by a throttle manager. The client cloud computing environment includes multiple virtual machines (VMs), each with a specific data agent responsible for collecting and transmitting application data. The secondary storage subsystem includes multiple secondary storage units managed by media agents. The throttle manager oversees the distribution and regulation of data streams across these media agents, dynamically adjusting the allocation of data streams to balance utilization and efficiently handle data. The system implements a multi-priority level bandwidth allocation mechanism, where bandwidth is distributed based on job type and dynamically adjusted based on stream performance.

Abstract: An illustrative cloud-based air-gapped data storage management (destination) system obtains authorized access to other (source) systems' backup copies, replicates those copies within the destination system, parses supplemental metadata included in the source backup copies, and integrates the replica copies into the destination system as though natively created there. Replica copies are integrated as backup copies without first restoring the source backup copies to a native data format. The source system lacks knowledge of or connectivity with the destination system, thus maintaining an “air gap” between the systems. The destination system preferably operates in a cloud computing environment. The destination system uses supplemental metadata from the replica copies to re-create or mimic the source's computing environment and to restore backed up data from the replica copies.

Abstract: A disclosed framework enables virtually any aggressive Recovery Point Objective (RPO) to be enforced for a production database, without limitation on type of database management system (DBMS) or size of the production database. The framework overcomes technological barriers of the prior art, such as bottlenecks presented by a storage manager computer that traditionally managed database backups. To avoid the bottlenecks, an illustrative data storage management system does not engage the storage manager computer in storage operations that could impact the database RPO. Certain components are added and enhanced to autonomously capture database transaction logs, which are stored securely and persistently away from the DBMS. In a separate and less frequent operation, and with involvement of the storage manager computer, the illustrative system generates secondary copies in their final form. Meanwhile, temporary backup files can be used in restore operations without first being converted into secondary copies.

Abstract: A disclosed framework enables virtually any aggressive Recovery Point Objective (RPO) to be enforced for a production database, without limitation on type of database management system (DBMS) or size of the production database. The framework overcomes technological barriers of the prior art, such as bottlenecks presented by a storage manager computer that traditionally managed database backups. To avoid the bottlenecks, an illustrative data storage management system does not engage the storage manager computer in storage operations that could impact the database RPO. Certain components are added and enhanced to autonomously capture database transaction logs, which are stored securely and persistently away from the DBMS. In a separate and less frequent operation, and with involvement of the storage manager computer, the illustrative system generates secondary copies in their final form. Meanwhile, temporary backup files can be used in restore operations without first being converted into secondary copies.

Abstract: Presented herein are systems and methods for backing up and restoring related backup data stored in different cloud storage tiers in a cloud storage environment. Backup data generated during a backup job is stored to different cloud storage tiers based on the type of data and a storage policy comprising designations of a first cloud storage tier and a second cloud storage tier. Backup metadata and index data is stored in the designated first cloud storage tier and backup payload data is stored in the designated second cloud storage tier. Designations of the storage tiers are based on the attributes associated with each tier of cloud storage. During restore, the backup payload data is recalled from the second storage tier into the first storage tier where it is used to restore to the destination client or customer.

Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein are well suited to restoring deduplicated backup data from cloud-based storage and from multi-node replicated files systems, and they also improve performance in more traditional data storage technologies. Pre-restore steps include analysis of deduplication indexes to identify data segments that are stored consecutively on storage media. Reading data in aggregate runs of consecutively stored data segments reduces interactions with storage media that hosts the deduplicated data and speeds up retrieval. Parallel reads from multiple storage devices in multi-node replicated file systems also speed up retrieval. An illustrative enhanced media agent pre-fetches data (stored in deduplicated form) in anticipation of read requests that are expected in the restore operation.

Abstract: Presented herein are systems and methods for backing up and restoring related backup data stored in different cloud storage tiers in a cloud storage environment. Backup data generated during a backup job is stored to different cloud storage tiers based on the type of data and a storage policy comprising designations of a first cloud storage tier and a second cloud storage tier. Backup metadata and index data is stored in the designated first cloud storage tier and backup payload data is stored in the designated second cloud storage tier. Designations of the storage tiers are based on the attributes associated with each tier of cloud storage. During restore, the backup payload data is recalled from the second storage tier into the first storage tier where it is used to restore to the destination client or customer.

Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein are well suited to restoring deduplicated backup data from cloud-based storage and from multi-node replicated files systems, and they also improve performance in more traditional data storage technologies. Pre-restore steps include analysis of deduplication indexes to identify data segments that are stored consecutively on storage media. Reading data in aggregate runs of consecutively stored data segments reduces interactions with storage media that hosts the deduplicated data and speeds up retrieval. Parallel reads from multiple storage devices in multi-node replicated file systems also speed up retrieval. An illustrative enhanced media agent pre-fetches data (stored in deduplicated form) in anticipation of read requests that are expected in the restore operation.

Abstract: Data storage operations, including content-indexing, containerized deduplication, and policy-driven storage, are performed within a cloud environment. The systems support a variety of clients and cloud storage sites that may connect to the system in a cloud environment that requires data transfer over wide area networks, such as the Internet, which may have appreciable latency and/or packet loss, using various network protocols, including HTTP and FTP. Methods are disclosed for content indexing data stored within a cloud environment to facilitate later searching, including collaborative searching. Methods are also disclosed for performing containerized deduplication to reduce the strain on a system namespace, effectuate cost savings, etc. Methods are disclosed for identifying suitable storage locations, including suitable cloud storage sites, for data files subject to a storage policy.

Abstract: An improved information management system that implements a staging area or cache to temporarily store primary data in a native format before the primary data is converted into secondary copies in a secondary format is described herein. For example, the improved information management system can include various media agents that each include one or more high speed drives. When a client computing device provides primary data for conversion into secondary copies, the primary data can initially be stored in the native format in the high speed drive(s). If the client computing device then submits a request for the primary data, the media agent can simply retrieve the primary data from the high speed drive(s) and transmit the primary data to the client computing device. Because the primary data is already in the native format, no conversion operations are performed by the media agent, thereby reducing the restore delay.

Abstract: An illustrative cloud-based air-gapped data storage management (destination) system obtains authorized access to other (source) systems' backup copies, replicates those copies within the destination system, parses supplemental metadata included in the source backup copies, and integrates the replica copies into the destination system as though natively created there. Replica copies are integrated as backup copies without first restoring the source backup copies to a native data format. The source system lacks knowledge of or connectivity with the destination system, thus maintaining an “air gap” between the systems. The destination system preferably operates in a cloud computing environment. The destination system uses supplemental metadata from the replica copies to re-create or mimic the source's computing environment and to restore backed up data from the replica copies.

Abstract: An illustrative cloud-based air-gapped data storage management (destination) system obtains authorized access to other (source) systems' backup copies, replicates those copies within the destination system, parses supplemental metadata included in the source backup copies, and integrates the replica copies into the destination system as though natively created there. Replica copies are integrated as backup copies without first restoring the source backup copies to a native data format. The source system lacks knowledge of or connectivity with the destination system, thus maintaining an “air gap” between the systems. The destination system preferably operates in a cloud computing environment. The destination system uses supplemental metadata from the replica copies to re-create or mimic the source's computing environment and to restore backed up data from the replica copies.

Abstract: A disclosed framework enables virtually any aggressive Recovery Point Objective (RPO) to be enforced for a production database, without limitation on type of database management system (DBMS) or size of the production database. The framework overcomes technological barriers of the prior art, such as bottlenecks presented by a storage manager computer that traditionally managed database backups. To avoid the bottlenecks, an illustrative data storage management system does not engage the storage manager computer in storage operations that could impact the database RPO. Certain components are added and enhanced to autonomously capture database transaction logs, which are stored securely and persistently away from the DBMS. In a separate and less frequent operation, and with involvement of the storage manager computer, the illustrative system generates secondary copies in their final form. Meanwhile, temporary backup files can be used in restore operations without first being converted into secondary copies.

Abstract: An improved information management system that implements a staging area or cache to temporarily store primary data in a native format before the primary data is converted into secondary copies in a secondary format is described herein. For example, the improved information management system can include various media agents that each include one or more high speed drives. When a client computing device provides primary data for conversion into secondary copies, the primary data can initially be stored in the native format in the high speed drive(s). If the client computing device then submits a request for the primary data, the media agent can simply retrieve the primary data from the high speed drive(s) and transmit the primary data to the client computing device. Because the primary data is already in the native format, no conversion operations are performed by the media agent, thereby reducing the restore delay.

Abstract: An information management system implements a method for determining whether to initiate a failover of a storage manager in the system. Nodes in the system may be assigned as monitoring nodes configured to communicate with a storage manager. Furthermore, each monitoring node may be configured to transmit a status inquiry message to each other monitoring node, and each monitoring node may receive a status inquiry message from each other monitoring node. Each monitoring node may also generate a session message comprising status information, and a plurality of failover nodes may receive the generated session messages. A failover node may then determine whether a failover condition has occurred by applying a plurality of failover rules to the status information of the transmitted session message. Where the failover node determines that a failover condition has occurred, the failover node may activate another storage manager to take place of the presently assigned storage manager.

Abstract: A disclosed framework enables virtually any aggressive Recovery Point Objective (RPO) to be enforced for a production database, without limitation on type of database management system (DBMS) or size of the production database. The framework overcomes technological barriers of the prior art, such as bottlenecks presented by a storage manager computer that traditionally managed database backups. To avoid the bottlenecks, an illustrative data storage management system does not engage the storage manager computer in storage operations that could impact the database RPO. Certain components are added and enhanced to autonomously capture database transaction logs, which are stored securely and persistently away from the DBMS. In a separate and less frequent operation, and with involvement of the storage manager computer, the illustrative system generates secondary copies in their final form. Meanwhile, temporary backup files can be used in restore operations without first being converted into secondary copies.

Abstract: Data storage operations, including content-indexing, containerized deduplication, and policy-driven storage, are performed within a cloud environment. The systems support a variety of clients and cloud storage sites that may connect to the system in a cloud environment that requires data transfer over wide area networks, such as the Internet, which may have appreciable latency and/or packet loss, using various network protocols, including HTTP and FTP. Methods are disclosed for content indexing data stored within a cloud environment to facilitate later searching, including collaborative searching. Methods are also disclosed for performing containerized deduplication to reduce the strain on a system namespace, effectuate cost savings, etc. Methods are disclosed for identifying suitable storage locations, including suitable cloud storage sites, for data files subject to a storage policy.

Abstract: An improved information management system that implements a staging area or cache to temporarily store primary data in a native format before the primary data is converted into secondary copies in a secondary format is described herein. For example, the improved information management system can include various media agents that each include one or more high speed drives. When a client computing device provides primary data for conversion into secondary copies, the primary data can initially be stored in the native format in the high speed drive(s). If the client computing device then submits a request for the primary data, the media agent can simply retrieve the primary data from the high speed drive(s) and transmit the primary data to the client computing device. Because the primary data is already in the native format, no conversion operations are performed by the media agent, thereby reducing the restore delay.

Abstract: A deduplicated storage system is provided according to certain embodiments that uses one or more mechanisms to update the deduplication database and remove records corresponding to data blocks that have been or will be erased from the secondary copies, without using or tracking reference counting values. Some embodiments described herein use a secondary table to identify the corresponding records from the primary table that can be removed and/or moved to another table for storing “zero-reference” data blocks. In other embodiments, the system will then traverse the “zero-reference” table and remove those primary data blocks from secondary storage devices.