Abstract: An attempt to write to a block of data in a main volume of data is detected. An indicator associated with the block of data is accessed before a copy-on-write operation to a snapshot volume is performed for the block of data. The indicator is used to determine whether the copy-on-write operation is to be performed for the block of data.

Abstract: A search engine receives user-submitted queries, determines web pages that are relevant to those queries, and returns relevance-ranked lists of references to the relevant web pages. Additionally, the search engine adds each query's terms to a query log. An automated process asynchronously examines the log and locates questions therein. For each question so located, the process determines whether that question already is contained in a database of questions maintained by an online question-and-answer system that is separate from the search engine. For each such question that is not already contained in the stored database of questions, the process automatically adds that question to the question database. As a result, the set of questions used by the online question-and-answer system grows even in the absence of any further direct question submissions by users of the system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing point-in-time consistent backup images while reducing a computing overhead associated with copy-on-write operations for snapshot images is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises processing at least one data block that is inconsistent with a backup image; and updating the backup image with the at least one inconsistent data block from a snapshot image, wherein the snapshot image is created after a backup process, wherein the updated backup image is point in time consistent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering a volume to a first recovery point using bitmap information is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises processing bitmap information associated with at least one recovery point, wherein the bitmap information comprises at least one bitmap that represents at least one changed block since a first recovery point of the at least one recovery point, wherein the first recovery point is associated with a backup image and restoring the at least one changed block from the backup image to a volume.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for managing an image of a storage volume are described. File extents for each of a plurality of files as defined in an original block layout of the image are obtained. A re-ordered block layout is generated by re-ordering, for each file of the plurality of files, blocks as defined by the original block layout based on the file extents of the respective file such that the blocks are contiguous. Layout metadata indicative of a mapping between the original block layout and the re-ordered block layout is generated. An archive image having the re-ordered block layout and the layout metadata is stored to a sequential storage device.

Abstract: A search engine receives user-submitted queries, determines web pages that are relevant to those queries, and returns relevance-ranked lists of references to the relevant web pages. Additionally, the search engine adds each query's terms to a query log. An automated process asynchronously examines the log and locates questions therein. For each question so located, the process determines whether that question already is contained in a database of questions maintained by an online question-and-answer system that is separate from the search engine. For each such question that is not already contained in the stored database of questions, the process automatically adds that question to the question database. As a result, the set of questions used by the online question-and-answer system grows even in the absence of any further direct question submissions by users of the system.

Abstract: A first snapshot of a volume is created at a first point in time. A first backup operation to backup the volume to a first backup image using the first snapshot is initiated. The first backup operation terminates before completion, e.g., due to a failure. A second snapshot of the volume representing the state of the volume at a second point in time is then created. The second snapshot is used by a second backup operation to resume backing up the volume to a second backup image. The first backup image is then merged with the second backup image.

Abstract: Creating a synthetic database backup using binary logs. A full backup of a database may be stored, followed by one or more incremental backups. The one or more incremental backups may include first binary log files. A first synthetic differential backup may be created using the first binary log files. Creating the first synthetic differential backup may include translating the first binary log files into a first plurality of SQL statements. The first plurality of SQL statements may be executable to recreate the changes in the database since the full backup. Translating each of the first binary log files into the first plurality of SQL statements may be performed before performing a recovery process to decrease recovery time.

Abstract: An attempt to write to a block of data in a main volume of data is detected. An indicator associated with the block of data is accessed before a copy-on-write operation to a snapshot volume is performed for the block of data. The indicator is used to determine whether the copy-on-write operation is to be performed for the block of data.

Abstract: A first snapshot of a volume is created at a first point in time. A first backup operation to backup the volume to a first backup image using the first snapshot is initiated. The first backup operation terminates before completion, e.g., due to a failure. A second snapshot of the volume representing the state of the volume at a second point in time is then created. The second snapshot is used by a second backup operation to resume backing up the volume to a second backup image. The first backup image is then merged with the second backup image.