Abstract: Systems and methods for providing automated problem reporting in elements used in conjunction with computer networks are disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of elements that perform data operations and a reporting manager or monitor agent which monitors the elements and data operations. Upon detection of hardware or software problems, the reporting manager or monitor agent automatically communicates with elements affected by the problem to gather selected hardware, software, and configuration information, analyzes the information to determine causes of the problem, and issues a problem report containing at least a portion of the selected information. The problem report is communicated to a remote monitor that does not possess access privileges to the elements, allowing automated, remote monitoring of the elements without compromising security of the computer network or elements.

Abstract: Techniques for providing data retention services based on a geographic region are disclosed. In one aspect, a location of a computing device is determined. A geographic entity corresponding to the location of the computing device is then determined. A data retention policy is applied to data of the computing device based on regulations of the geographic entity. Other aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for archiving data objects using secondary copies is disclosed. The system creates one or more secondary copies of primary data that contains multiple data objects. The system may maintain a first data structure that tracks the data objects for which the system has created secondary copies and the locations of the secondary copies. To archive data objects in the primary data, the system identifies data objects to be archived, verifies that previously-created secondary copies of the identified data objects exist, and replaces the identified data objects with stubs. The system may maintain a second data structure that both tracks the stubs and refers to the first data structure, thereby creating an association between the stubs and the locations of the secondary copies.

Abstract: An improved content indexing system is disclosed herein that content indexing system combines the functionality of the backup metadata database and the content index database into a single backup and content index database to avoid the need to perform synchronization operations. By using a single backup and content index database, the content indexing system also reduces the computing performance costs that would be associated with the synchronization operations as the amount of indexed content increases, thereby solving scalability issues.

Abstract: An improved content indexing (CI) system is disclosed herein. For example, the improved CI system may include a distributed architecture of client computing devices, media agents, a single backup and CI database, and a pool of servers. After a file backup occurs, the backup and CI database may include file metadata indices and other information associated with backed up files. Servers in the pool of servers may, in parallel, query the backup and CI database for a list of files assigned to the respective server that have not been content indexed. The servers may then request a media agent to restore the assigned files from secondary storage and provide the restored files to the servers. The servers may then content index the received restored files. Once the content indexing is complete, the servers can send the content index information to the backup and CI database for storage.

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: Certain embodiments described herein relate to an improved selective data backup system. In some embodiments, one or more components in an information management system can determine that a portion of the primary data scheduled for backup was previously backed up or is scheduled to be backed up as part of another backup operation. For example, a data agent performing a cluster-level backup operation for an entire cluster of storage servers may check whether any part of the primary data was previously backed up by a prior server-level backup operation for one of the storage servers in the cluster. If so, the data agent may skip, in the cluster-level backup operation, any portion of the primary data stored in the storage server previously backed up as part of the prior server-level backup operation.

Abstract: An information management cell health monitoring system is provided herein that can monitor one or more information management systems, identify any performance issues that are occurring within an information management system, and automatically, or in response to a user input, transmit an instruction to the information management system to execute a workflow to resolve the performance issue(s). For example, the information management cell health monitoring system receives operational data, secondary copy policies, and/or similar data from an information management cells via a network. The information management cell health monitoring system analyzes the received information to identify any issues. If an issue is detected, the information management cell health monitoring system retrieves workflows and determines whether any of the workflows can be used to resolve the detected issue.

Abstract: In general, a data synchronization management system is disclosed in which files (and/or other data) are synchronized among two or more computing devices. Synchronization policies specify files to be synchronized based on selected criteria including file data, metadata, and location information. In general, files are initially copied from a primary client computing device to secondary storage. Thereafter, files to be synchronized are identified from the secondary storage and copied to other computing devices. Additionally, synchronized files may be viewed and accessed through a cloud and/or remote file access interface.

Abstract: An improved content indexing system is disclosed herein that content indexing system combines the functionality of the backup metadata database and the content index database into a single backup and content index database to avoid the need to perform synchronization operations. By using a single backup and content index database, the content indexing system also reduces the computing performance costs that would be associated with the synchronization operations as the amount of indexed content increases, thereby solving scalability issues.

Abstract: An information management system is provided herein that combines data backup and data migration operations such that data appears available in a network-accessible folder when in fact the data is stored as a secondary copy in a secondary storage device. For example, a user can indicate that a first file should be added to the network-accessible folder. A client computing device can transmit the first file to a secondary storage computing device that performs a backup operation to store a backup copy of the first file in the secondary storage device. The secondary storage computing device can also generate an index of the first file, which includes a location of the backup copy of the first file, and transmit the index to a server that manages the network-accessible folder. Thus, the backup copy of the first file can be retrieved if the first file is selected via the network-accessible folder.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a tiered storage system is disclosed that provides for failover protection during data backup operations. The system can provide for an index, or catalog, for identifying and enabling restoration of backup data located on a storage device. The system further maintains a set of transaction logs generated by media agent modules that identify metadata with respect to individual data chunks of a backup file on the storage device. A copy of the catalog and transaction logs can be stored at a location accessible by each of the media agent modules. In this manner, in case of a failure of one media agent module during backup, the transaction logs and existing catalog can be used by a second media agent module to resume the backup operation without requiring a restart of the backup process.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing automated problem reporting in elements used in conjunction with computer networks are disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of elements that perform data operations and a reporting manager or monitor agent which monitors the elements and data operations. Upon detection of hardware or software problems, the reporting manager or monitor agent automatically communicates with elements affected by the problem to gather selected hardware, software, and configuration information, analyzes the information to determine causes of the problem, and issues a problem report containing at least a portion of the selected information. The problem report is communicated to a remote monitor that does not possess access privileges to the elements, allowing automated, remote monitoring of the elements without compromising security of the computer network or elements.

Abstract: A Remote Metadata Center provides Distaster Recovery (DR) testing and metadata backup services to multiple business organizations. Metadata associated with local data backups performed at business organizations is transmitetd to the Remote Metadata Center. Corresponding backup data is storeged in a data storage system that is either stored locally at the business organization or at a data storage facility that is at a different location than the Remote Metadata Center and the business organization. DR testing can be staged from the Remote Data Center using the metadata receievd and optionally with assistance from an operator at the business organization and/or the data storage facility.

Abstract: An improved content indexing (CI) system is disclosed herein. For example, the improved CI system may include a distributed architecture of client computing devices, media agents, a single backup and CI database, and a pool of servers. After a file backup occurs, the backup and CI database may include file metadata indices and other information associated with backed up files. Servers in the pool of servers may, in parallel, query the backup and CI database for a list of files assigned to the respective server that have not been content indexed. The servers may then request a media agent to restore the assigned files from secondary storage and provide the restored files to the servers. The servers may then content index the received restored files. Once the content indexing is complete, the servers can send the content index information to the backup and CI database for storage.

Abstract: An improved content indexing (CI) system is disclosed herein. For example, the improved CI system may include a distributed architecture of client computing devices, media agents, a single backup and CI database, and a pool of servers. After a file backup occurs, the backup and CI database may include file metadata indices and other information associated with backed up files. Servers in the pool of servers may, in parallel, query the backup and CI database for a list of files assigned to the respective server that have not been content indexed. The servers may then request a media agent to restore the assigned files from secondary storage and provide the restored files to the servers. The servers may then content index the received restored files. Once the content indexing is complete, the servers can send the content index information to the backup and CI database for storage.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein relate to an improved selective data backup system. In some embodiments, one or more components in an information management system can determine that a portion of the primary data scheduled for backup was previously backed up or is scheduled to be backed up as part of another backup operation. For example, a data agent performing a cluster-level backup operation for an entire cluster of storage servers may check whether any part of the primary data was previously backed up by a prior server-level backup operation for one of the storage servers in the cluster. If so, the data agent may skip, in the cluster-level backup operation, any portion of the primary data stored in the storage server previously backed up as part of the prior server-level backup operation.

Abstract: According to certain aspects, a method can include electronically accessing, by a storage manager, a stored synchronization policy specifying at least a first folder associated with a first computing device and a second folder associated with a second computing device; identifying a first file stored in the first folder as a candidate for synchronization; receiving an indication as to a location of the first computing device and the second computing device; in response to a determination that the first computing device is not located within a geographic region, electronically generating and transmitting instructions to the first computing device to remove the first file from the first folder; and in response to a determination that the second computing device is located within the geographic region, electronically generating and transmitting instructions to cause transmission of the first file to the second computing device for storage in the second folder.

Abstract: An identity management system is augmented to compute a time-varying confidence score for an asserted attribute value, typically a value that is received from a third party identity issuer. In this approach, an identity provider (IdP) computes a time-varying confidence score for an asserted attribute that the IdP includes in a security assertion returned to a service provider. The confidence score typically is “deteriorating” (i.e., diminishes over time) for an attribute value. The degree to which the score deteriorates, however, may be altered by one or more qualified attribute verification event(s). Preferably, the IdP maintains a profile of the service provider, and that profile may also include other information, such as a threshold for an attribute confidence score that the SP deems acceptable (to enable access to the service). Based on the SP profiling, the IdP also can recommend use of a given identity issuer for a specific attribute.

Abstract: A Remote Metadata Center provides Disaster Recovery (DR) testing and metadata backup services to multiple business organizations. Metadata associated with local data backups performed at business organizations is transmitted to the Remote Metadata Center. Corresponding backup data is stored in a data storage system that is either stored locally at the business organization or at a data storage facility that is at a different location than the Remote Metadata Center and the business organization. DR testing can be staged from the Remote Data Center using the metadata received and optionally with assistance from an operator at the business organization and/or the data storage facility.