Abstract: An illustrative approach accelerates file indexing operations for block-level backup copies in a data storage management system. A cache storage area is maintained for locally storing and serving key data blocks, thus relying less on retrieving data on demand from the backup copy. File indexing operations are used for populating the cache storage area for speedier retrieval during subsequent live browsing of the same backup copy, and vice versa. The key data blocks cached while file indexing and/or live browsing an earlier backup copy help to pre-fetch corresponding data blocks of later backup copies, thus producing a beneficial learning cycle. The approach is especially beneficial for cloud and tape backup media, and is available for a variety of data sources and backup copies, including block-level backup copies of virtual machines (VMs) and block-level backup copies of file systems, including UNIX-based and Windows-based operating systems and corresponding file systems.

Abstract: The disclosed enhancements optimize the use of the live browse cache and pseudo-disk storage areas, improving metadata handling so that it can be used more effectively to speed up live browse and file indexing of backup copies in a data storage management system. The enhancements operate granularly to identify within each extent being backed up smaller sectors that comprise metadata. The disclosed approach pre-fetches the metadata of the backup copy before allowing the file scan of the file indexing and/or the live browse operation to proceed. The backup operation, the file indexing operation, and the live browse operation are enhanced to handle the more granular metadata sectors without changing the granularity of the full extents generated and stored in the backup.

Abstract: The disclosed enhancements optimize the use of the live browse cache and pseudo-disk storage areas, improving metadata handling so that it can be used more effectively to speed up live browse and file indexing of backup copies in a data storage management system. The enhancements operate granularly to identify within each extent being backed up smaller sectors that comprise metadata. The disclosed approach pre-fetches the metadata of the backup copy before allowing the file scan of the file indexing and/or the live browse operation to proceed. The backup operation, the file indexing operation, and the live browse operation are enhanced to handle the more granular metadata sectors without changing the granularity of the full extents generated and stored in the backup.

Abstract: An illustrative approach accelerates file indexing operations for block-level backup copies in a data storage management system. A cache storage area is maintained for locally storing and serving key data blocks, thus relying less on retrieving data on demand from the backup copy. File indexing operations are used for populating the cache storage area for speedier retrieval during subsequent live browsing of the same backup copy, and vice versa. The key data blocks cached while file indexing and/or live browsing an earlier backup copy help to pre-fetch corresponding data blocks of later backup copies, thus producing a beneficial learning cycle. The approach is especially beneficial for cloud and tape backup media, and is available for a variety of data sources and backup copies, including block-level backup copies of virtual machines (VMs) and block-level backup copies of file systems, including UNIX-based and Windows-based operating systems and corresponding file systems.

Abstract: The disclosed enhancements optimize the use of the live browse cache and pseudo-disk storage areas, improving metadata handling so that it can be used more effectively to speed up live browse and file indexing of backup copies in a data storage management system. The enhancements operate granularly to identify within each extent being backed up smaller sectors that comprise metadata. The disclosed approach pre-fetches the metadata of the backup copy before allowing the file scan of the file indexing and/or the live browse operation to proceed. The backup operation, the file indexing operation, and the live browse operation are enhanced to handle the more granular metadata sectors without changing the granularity of the full extents generated and stored in the backup.

Abstract: An illustrative approach accelerates file indexing operations for block-level backup copies in a data storage management system. A cache storage area is maintained for locally storing and serving key data blocks, thus relying less on retrieving data on demand from the backup copy. File indexing operations are used for populating the cache storage area for speedier retrieval during subsequent live browsing of the same backup copy, and vice versa. The key data blocks cached while file indexing and/or live browsing an earlier backup copy help to pre-fetch corresponding data blocks of later backup copies, thus producing a beneficial learning cycle. The approach is especially beneficial for cloud and tape backup media, and is available for a variety of data sources and backup copies, including block-level backup copies of virtual machines (VMs) and block-level backup copies of file systems, including UNIX-based and Windows-based operating systems and corresponding file systems.

Abstract: An illustrative approach accelerates live browse operations for block-level backup copies in a data storage management system. A cache storage area is maintained for locally storing and serving key data blocks, thus relying less on retrieving data on demand from backup copies. Live browse operations are used for populating the cache storage area for speedier retrieval during subsequent live browsing and/or file indexing of the same backup copy, and vice versa. The key data blocks cached while file indexing and/or live browsing an earlier backup copy help to pre-fetch corresponding data blocks of later backup copies, thus producing a beneficial learning cycle. The approach is especially beneficial for cloud and tape backup media, and is available for a variety of data sources and backup copies, including block-level backup copies of virtual machines (VMs) and block-level backup copies of file systems, including UNIX-based and Windows-based operating systems and corresponding file systems.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein detect on-the-fly whether requested subclient data resides on a certain type of storage device, such as cloned Windows Dynamic Disks. The system presents mount requests for the identified disks in a manner that allows for mounting of the disks, where the disks would not be otherwise mountable. For instance, in some embodiments the information management system generates substitute metadata for disk mounting purposes, such as for the purposes of browsing and/or restoring data.

Abstract: The disclosed enhancements optimize the use of the live browse cache and pseudo-disk storage areas, improving metadata handling so that it can be used more effectively to speed up live browse and file indexing of backup copies in a data storage management system. The enhancements operate granularly to identify within each extent being backed up smaller sectors that comprise metadata. The disclosed approach pre-fetches the metadata of the backup copy before allowing the file scan of the file indexing and/or the live browse operation to proceed. The backup operation, the file indexing operation, and the live browse operation are enhanced to handle the more granular metadata sectors without changing the granularity of the full extents generated and stored in the backup.

Abstract: An illustrative approach accelerates live browse operations for block-level backup copies in a data storage management system. A cache storage area is maintained for locally storing and serving key data blocks, thus relying less on retrieving data on demand from backup copies. Live browse operations are used for populating the cache storage area for speedier retrieval during subsequent live browsing and/or file indexing of the same backup copy, and vice versa. The key data blocks cached while file indexing and/or live browsing an earlier backup copy help to pre-fetch corresponding data blocks of later backup copies, thus producing a beneficial learning cycle. The approach is especially beneficial for cloud and tape backup media, and is available for a variety of data sources and backup copies, including block-level backup copies of virtual machines (VMs) and block-level backup copies of file systems, including UNIX-based and Windows-based operating systems and corresponding file systems.

Abstract: A cache storage area stores key data blocks, usually metadata, used in live browse, file indexing, and/or file restore operations, which can avoid retrieving data on demand from backup copies. An illustrative shared data storage resource hosts the cache storage area, which is subdivided into virtual disk-specific caches, each one accompanied by a respective cache-specific index. A media agent acting as cache arbitrator manages access to the various caches. The cache arbitrator grants to other media agents in the system temporary ownership of particular caches, thereby facilitating parallel usage among the caches by different media agents. By enabling parallelism and a shared cache storage environment, these embodiments improve overall operational performance and add resiliency to the system as a whole. The cache arbitrator media agent is specially appointed to the role by a storage manager that generally manages storage operations throughout the illustrative data storage management system.

Abstract: An illustrative approach accelerates file indexing operations for block-level backup copies in a data storage management system. A cache storage area is maintained for locally storing and serving key data blocks, thus relying less on retrieving data on demand from the backup copy. File indexing operations are used for populating the cache storage area for speedier retrieval during subsequent live browsing of the same backup copy, and vice versa. The key data blocks cached while file indexing and/or live browsing an earlier backup copy help to pre-fetch corresponding data blocks of later backup copies, thus producing a beneficial learning cycle. The approach is especially beneficial for cloud and tape backup media, and is available for a variety of data sources and backup copies, including block-level backup copies of virtual machines (VMs) and block-level backup copies of file systems, including UNIX-based and Windows-based operating systems and corresponding file systems.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein detect on-the-fly whether requested subclient data resides on a certain type of storage device, such as cloned Windows Dynamic Disks. The system presents mount requests for the identified disks in a manner that allows for mounting of the disks, where the disks would not be otherwise mountable. For instance, in some embodiments the information management system generates substitute metadata for disk mounting purposes, such as for the purposes of browsing and/or restoring data.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein detect on-the-fly whether requested subclient data resides on a certain type of storage device, such as cloned Windows Dynamic Disks. The system presents mount requests for the identified disks in a manner that allows for mounting of the disks, where the disks would not be otherwise mountable. For instance, in some embodiments the information management system generates substitute metadata for disk mounting purposes, such as for the purposes of browsing and/or restoring data.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein detect on-the-fly whether requested subclient data resides on a certain type of storage device, such as cloned Windows Dynamic Disks. The system presents mount requests for the identified disks in a manner that allows for mounting of the disks, where the disks would not be otherwise mountable. For instance, in some embodiments the information management system generates substitute metadata for disk mounting purposes, such as for the purposes of browsing and/or restoring data.