Abstract: Application aware storage volumes and snapshots are disclosed. An application, such as a data protection application, can discover a mapping between an application and storage volumes. The mapping, represented as application metadata, can be written to the volume and/or to backups. The application metadata facilitates application management and allows different administrators to communicate more effectively.

Abstract: In embodiments, there is disclosed, systems, methods, and computer program products for discovering a physical host or a virtual host in a storage network comprising: querying a name server database; obtaining from the name server database a port name and a port worldwide number for a port connected to a switch, wherein the switch is part of the storage network; determining using the name server database if the port is, an initiator port or a target port; and for an initiator port, determining using the name server database a host name corresponding to the physical host or virtual host, wherein the physical host or the virtual host is connected to the initiator port.