Abstract: A method for removing redundant data from a backup storage system is presented. In one example, the method may include identifying a first back-up data object, identifying a second back-up data object, detecting a first portion of the first back-up data object that is a copy of a second portion of the second back-up data object, and replacing the second portion with a pointer to the first portion.

Abstract: A back-up storage system that emulates a sequential storage medium such as a tape and stores data on a randomly accessible storage medium, such as disk. The back-up storage system includes a randomly accessible storage medium, a front-end interface to emulate the sequential storage medium, to communicate with external devices using a protocol that supports the sequential storage medium, and to receive sequential-format data from the external devices, and a back-end interface to receive the sequential-format data from the front-end interface and to store the sequential-format data on the randomly-accessible storage medium.

Abstract: A method for removing redundant data from a backup storage system is presented. In one example, the method may include receiving the application layer data object, selecting a de-duplication domain from a plurality of de-duplication domains based at least in part on a data object characteristic associated with the de-duplication domain, determining that the application layer data object has the characteristic and directing the application layer data object to the de-duplication domain.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficient storage of data are provided. For instance, a method that includes acts of receiving a data stream to be stored on a first storage system, the data stream comprising a data object and metadata that describes attributes of the data object, extracting the metadata from the data stream, storing the data object on the first storage system and storing the extracted metadata, separately from the data object, on a computer-readable medium is disclosed. Additionally, a storage system is disclosed that includes a first storage medium, an interface configured to receive a data stream including a data object to be stored on the first storage medium and a controller. The controller may be configured to extract metadata from the data stream, the metadata being descriptive of attributes of the data object, and to direct the extracted metadata to be stored on a computer-readable medium.

Abstract: A method for removing redundant data from a backup storage system is presented. In one example, the method may include receiving the application layer data object, selecting a de-duplication domain from a plurality of de-duplication domains based at least in part on a data object characteristic associated with the de-duplication domain, determining that the application layer data object has the characteristic and directing the application layer data object to the de-duplication domain.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficient storage of data are provided. For instance, a method that includes acts of receiving a data stream to be stored on a first storage system, the data stream comprising a data object and metadata that describes attributes of the data object, extracting the metadata from the data stream, storing the data object on the first storage system and storing the extracted metadata, separately from the data object, on a computer-readable medium is disclosed. Additionally, a storage system is disclosed that includes a first storage medium, an interface configured to receive a data stream including a data object to be stored on the first storage medium and a controller. The controller may be configured to extract metadata from the data stream, the metadata being descriptive of attributes of the data object, and to direct the extracted metadata to be stored on a computer-readable medium.

Abstract: In a back-up storage system, an apparatus and methods for mounting a data volume corresponding to a back-up data set to a host computer. In one example, a method includes mounting a data volume on a host computer, the data volume comprising at least one data file, the data file corresponding to a most recently backed-up version of the at least one data file stored on a backup storage system, and storing, on the backup storage system, data corresponding to a second version of the at least one data file that is more recent than the most recently backed-up version of the at least one data file stored on the backup storage system while preserving the most recently backed-up version of the at least one data file.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for passive data migration. A method is presented for distributing data that includes acts of identifying a date by which a computer readable medium is to be decommissioned and restricting distribution of data to the computer readable medium to reach a state of data content suitable for decommissioning the computer readable medium by the identified date. A system implementing data migration includes a storage medium, an interface and a processor. The interface is adapted to receive information to be stored on a storage medium, and the processor is configured to restrict storage of the data on one storage medium based on a target decommission date for that storage medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficient storage of data are provided. For instance, a method that includes acts of receiving a data stream to be stored on a first storage system, the data stream comprising a data object and metadata that describes attributes of the data object, extracting the metadata from the data stream, storing the data object on the first storage system and storing the extracted metadata, separately from the data object, on a computer-readable medium is disclosed. Additionally, a storage system is disclosed that includes a first storage medium, an interface configured to receive a data stream including a data object to be stored on the first storage medium and a controller. The controller may be configured to extract metadata from the data stream, the metadata being descriptive of attributes of the data object, and to direct the extracted metadata to be stored on a computer-readable medium.

Abstract: A method comprising acts of creating a full back-up data set comprising a first plurality of data files, creating at least one incremental back-up data set comprising a second plurality of data files, determining a most recent copy of each data file of the first and second pluralities of data files, storing a plurality of indicators, each indicator identifying a storage location in one of the full back-up data set and the at least one incremental back-up data set of the most recent copy of each data file of the first and second pluralities of data files and creating a synthetic full back-up data set that corresponds to the most recent copy of each data file of the first and second pluralities of data files based upon the plurality of indicators.

Abstract: A back-up storage system that emulates a sequential storage medium such as a tape and stores data on a randomly accessible storage medium, such as disk. The back-up storage system includes a randomly accessible storage medium, a front-end interface to emulate the sequential storage medium, to communicate with external devices using a protocol that supports the sequential storage medium, and to receive sequential-format data from the external devices, and a back-end interface to receive the sequential-format data from the front-end interface and to store the sequential-format data on the randomly-accessible storage medium.

Abstract: A method for removing redundant data from a backup storage system is presented. In one example, the method may include identifying a first back-up data object, identifying a second back-up data object, detecting a first portion of the first back-up data object that is a copy of a second portion of the second back-up data object, and replacing the second portion with a pointer to the first portion.

Abstract: A central processing unit having: (A) a microprocessor; (B) a main memory; (C) a microprocessor interface. The interface includes: a semiconductor integrated circuit having formed therein: (i) a data rebuffering section disposed in the chip and adapted to couple data from a one of a plurality of data ports to a data port of the microprocessor selectively in accordance with a control signal; and (ii) a main memory interface adapted for coupling to a main memory for the microprocessor, such main memory interface being adapted for coupling to the microprocessor and being coupled to the data rebuffering section for providing control signals to the main memory section for enabling data transfer between the main memory and the microprocessor through the data rebuffering section.

Abstract: A method comprising acts of creating a full back-up data set comprising a first plurality of data files, creating at least one incremental back-up data set comprising a second plurality of data files, determining a most recent copy of each data file of the first and second pluralities of data files, storing a plurality of indicators, each indicator identifying a storage location in one of the full back-up data set and the at least one incremental back-up data set of the most recent copy of each data file of the first and second pluralities of data files and creating a synthetic full back-up data set that corresponds to the most recent copy of each data file of the first and second pluralities of data files based upon the plurality of indicators.

Abstract: A method comprising acts of creating a full back-up data set comprising a first plurality of data files, creating at least one incremental back-up data set comprising a second plurality of data files, determining a most recent copy of each data file of the first and second pluralities of data files, storing a plurality of indicators, each indicator identifying a storage location in one of the full back-up data set and the at least one incremental back-up data set of the most recent copy of each data file of the first and second pluralities of data files and creating a synthetic full back-up data set that corresponds to the most recent copy of each data file of the first and second pluralities of data files based upon the plurality of indicators.

Abstract: An auxiliary controller is interposable intermediate a data source (such as one or more computers or one or more mass storage devices) and a data sink (such as one or more mass storage devices or one or more computers) to provide additional operations on s the data as desired without interfering with the transmission of data between the source and sink.

Abstract: A back-up storage system that emulates a sequential storage medium such as a tape and stores data on a randomly accessible storage medium, such as disk. The back-up storage system includes a randomly accessible storage medium, a front-end interface to emulate the sequential storage medium, to communicate with external devices using a protocol that supports the sequential storage medium, and to receive sequential-format data from the external devices, and a back-end interface to receive the sequential-format data from the front-end interface and to store the sequential-format data on the randomly-accessible storage medium.

Abstract: A microprocessor interface having: (i) a data rebuffering section to couple data from a one of a plurality of data ports to a data port of the microprocessor selectively in accordance with a control signal; and (ii) a main memory interface for coupling to a main memory for the microprocessor, such main memory interface being coupled to the data rebuffering section for providing control signals to the main memory section for enabling data transfer between the main memory and the microprocessor through the data rebuffering section. The main memory is a selected one of a plurality of memory types each type having a different data transfer protocol and the main memory interface is configured in accordance with the selected one of the plurality of memory types to provide a proper memory protocol to data being transferred between the microprocessor and the main memory through the main memory interface.

Abstract: In a back-up storage system, an apparatus and methods for mounting a data volume corresponding to a back-up data set to a host computer. In one example, a method includes mounting a data volume on a host computer, the data volume comprising at least one data file, the data file corresponding to a most recently backed-up version of the at least one data file stored on a backup storage system, and storing, on the backup storage system, data corresponding to a second version of the at least one data file that is more recent than the most recently backed-up version of the at least one data file stored on the backup storage system while preserving the most recently backed-up version of the at least one data file.

Abstract: A central processing unit having: (A) a microprocessor; (B) a main memory; (C) a microprocessor interface. The interface includes: a semiconductor integrated circuit having formed therein: (i) a data rebuffering section disposed in the chip and adapted to couple data from a one of a plurality of data ports to a data port of the microprocessor selectively in accordance with a control signal; and (ii) a main memory interface adapted for coupling to a main memory for the microprocessor, such main memory interface being adapted for coupling to the microprocessor and being coupled to the data rebuffering section for providing control signals to the main memory section for enabling data transfer between the main memory and the microprocessor through the data rebuffering section. A controller is coupled to the data rebuffering section for producing the control signal.