Abstract: A virtual recovery server is described herein. The virtual recovery server is a software implementation on a storage server which generates a virtual server to replace a physical server when the physical server becomes inaccessible. While the physical server is inaccessible, the virtual recovery server is able to mimic the actions and data contained on the physical server. Thus, when users attempt to access an application or data that is on the physical server, they will not experience an interruption and will continue to access the information as if the physical server were up and running. The virtual recovery server is able to run for up to a number of days. When a new or repaired physical server is available the virtual recovery server is deleted after the data acquired by the virtual server is transmitted to the new physical server.

Abstract: A method of and system for enhanced storage allows more data to be backed up than would otherwise be possible. Instead of storing uncompressed base images and incremental images, differentials of non-current base images are compressed and stored. Furthermore, incremental images that are older than the current base image are removed. By only saving differential base images that are compressed, aside from the newest base image, and deleting older incremental images, a significant amount of space is saved. A removable drive is used as temporary storage in the process of generating a compressed differential base for previous base images. Additionally, a process ensures that previous base images are differentials of the most recent base image and not each other.

Abstract: A disaster recovery appliance is described herein. The disaster recovery appliance is coupled to one or more servers. The disaster recovery appliance continuously receives backup data for each of the one or more servers. When a server fails, the disaster recovery appliance, replaces the failed server. While the failed server is inaccessible, the disaster recovery appliance is able to mimic the functionality of the failed server. In some embodiments, the disaster recovery appliance is able to act as a server in addition to a backup device for the other servers.