Abstract: In some examples, a data management system processes snapshots of a distributed file system, the distributed file system having files, each file comprising multiple data chunks. The data management system performs operations including storing file-to-chunk mapping in file system metadata; creating, for each chunk, a chunk generation ID by associating each chunk with a file system generation ID; in a next-generation snapshot of the distributed file system, incrementing, for all chunks in the next-generation snapshot, the respective chunk generation IDs; and taking a snapshot of the file system metadata and storing an updated file-to-chunk mapping associated with the next-generation snapshot.

Abstract: In some examples, a data management system processes snapshots of a distributed file system, the distributed file system having files, each file comprising multiple data chunks. The data management system performs operations including storing file-to-chunk mapping in file system metadata; creating, for each chunk, a chunk generation ID by associating each chunk with a file system generation ID; in a next-generation snapshot of the distributed file system, incrementing, for all chunks in the next-generation snapshot, the respective chunk generation IDs; and taking a snapshot of the file system metadata and storing an updated file-to-chunk mapping associated with the next-generation snapshot.

Abstract: In some examples, a data management system processes snapshots of a distributed file system, the distributed file system having files, each file comprising multiple data chunks. The data management system performs operations including storing file-to-chunk mapping in file system metadata; creating, for each chunk, a chunk generation ID by associating each chunk with a file system generation ID; in a next-generation snapshot of the distributed file system, incrementing, for all chunks in the next-generation snapshot, the respective chunk generation IDs; and taking a snapshot of the file system metadata and storing an updated file-to-chunk mapping associated with the next-generation snapshot.

Abstract: Methods and systems for backing up and restoring different point in time versions of a virtual machine, an application, a database, or an electronic file using independently managed snapshot chains are described. In some cases, different point in time versions of a virtual machine may be captured and stored using one or more snapshot chains. Each snapshot chain may correspond with a base image (e.g., a full image snapshot) and one or more incremental files (e.g., two forward incremental files) that derive from the base image. A snapshot chain may be split into a plurality of shards or sub-chains such that the width of each shard or the maximum data size of the files in each shard is less than a threshold data size (e.g., is less than 1 TB). Data operations (e.g., consolidation and reverse operations) may be performed on the individual shards or sub-chains in parallel.

Abstract: Methods and systems for backing up and restoring different point in time versions of a virtual machine, an application, a database, or an electronic file using independently managed snapshot chains are described. In some cases, different point in time versions of a virtual machine may be captured and stored using one or more snapshot chains. Each snapshot chain may correspond with a base image (e.g., a full image snapshot) and one or more incremental files (e.g., two forward incremental files) that derive from the base image. A snapshot chain may be split into a plurality of shards or sub-chains such that the width of each shard or the maximum data size of the files in each shard is less than a threshold data size (e.g., is less than 1 TB). Data operations (e.g., consolidation and reverse operations) may be performed on the individual shards or sub-chains in parallel.