Abstract: Provided is a method, system and program for backing up the contents of a source storage device as an object in a data storage subsystem wherein the object contains image data representing the contents of the source storage device, and restoring the contents of the source storage device from the object to a file such as a flat file. The contents of the file may be copied to a target storage device to restore the contents of the source storage device from the file to the target storage device which may be the source storage device or another target storage device.

Abstract: Provided are systems for authenticating the identity of a user for use in a distributed computer network including multiple sets of access credentials. A user request, including the user's input credentials, is received, and then compared simultaneously to multiple sets of access credentials in order to verify the user's input credentials. When the user's input credentials are verified, the appropriate level of access authority is then determined, and proper access is granted to the user.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for autonomically virtualizing a data storage server. The apparatus, system, and method include a central control hub module configured to service storage server operations between a client and one or more storage servers, a detection module configured to determine whether a set of storage conditions is satisfied, and a creation module configured to create an additional instance of a storage server in response to the set of storage conditions being satisfied. The central control hub module may also include a mapping module configured to maintain storage mappings between the client and servers and provide the storage mappings to the client. When a new server instance is created, it may include a new maintenance database instance.

Abstract: Provided are systems for authenticating the identity of a user for use in a distributed computer network including multiple sets of access credentials. A user request, including the user's input credentials, is received, and then compared simultaneously to multiple sets of access credentials in order to verify the user's input credentials. When the user's input credentials are verified, the appropriate level of access authority is then determined, and proper access is granted to the user.

Abstract: A method of restoring data in a computer network system wherein a plurality of client systems have access to a storage pool coupled to an associated storage area network (SAN) includes: requesting a restore wherein each of the plurality of client systems may participate in the restore; and coordinating access to the data stored in the storage pool by tracking a plurality of data portions of the data to be restored and by blocking access to each of the plurality of data portions that have been restored by one of the plurality of client systems to avoid duplicative restoration efforts. A master restore table may also be constructed to assist with coordinating access to the stored data. A computer network system configured to coordinate a restore request where a plurality of client systems may participate in the restore is also provided.

Abstract: Provided are methods for authenticating the identity of a user for use in a distributed computer network including multiple sets of access credentials. A user request, including the user's input credentials, is received, and then compared simultaneously to multiple sets of access credentials in order to verify the user's input credentials. When the user's input credentials are verified, the appropriate level of access authority is then determined, and proper access is granted to the user.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system to restore data from a networked storage pool where a storage agent requests information pertaining to data objects that are associated with a data restore. A storage server responds by querying a storage database to find metadata corresponding to the restore objects, combines the metadata into a packet, and sends the packet to the requester. The storage agent receives the packet which contains an aggregation of information corresponding to the data objects. The storage agent uses the information to send data to a client to copy the data objects to a restore volume and restore attributes such as a file name and access rights. Aggregating the information reduces network traffic and decreases the time necessary to perform the data restore operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and associated systems for authenticating the identity of a user for use in a distributed computer network including multiple sets of access credentials. A user request, including the user's input credentials, is received, and then compared simultaneously to multiple sets of access credentials in order to verify the user's input credentials. When the user's input credentials are verified, the appropriate level of access authority is then determined, and proper access is granted to the user.

Abstract: A method of restoring data in a computer network system wherein a plurality of client systems have access to a storage pool coupled to an associated storage area network (SAN) includes: requesting a restore wherein each of the plurality of client systems may participate in the restore; and coordinating access to the data stored in the storage pool by tracking a plurality of data portions of the data to be restored and by blocking access to each of the plurality of data portions that have been restored by one of the plurality of client systems to avoid duplicative restoration efforts. A master restore table may also be constructed to assist with coordinating access to the stored data. A computer network system configured to coordinate a restore request where a plurality of client systems may participate in the restore is also provided.