Abstract: A system that maps files into multiple parts and initiates storage of each part within a respective storage provider. The mapping facilitates this by correlating each of the multiple parts to a corresponding storage provider which may be different than the storage provider that stores a different part of the same file. The system then initiates storage of the multiple parts of the file in each of their corresponding storage provider in accordance with the mapping, and using a storage-provider-facing API. Similarly, retrieval and/or editing of a partial file may be accomplished by referencing the mapping, and using the same API issued to the appropriate storage provider. Each storage provider is capable of interfacing with the system using this same API.

Abstract: Sharding a data unit across storage locations (e.g., data centers, clusters, accounts, and so forth). For each location, the multi-link traffic constraints in data channeling with the storage location are identified. For instance, for a given data channel leading to and/or from a storage location, there may be multiple links. Each link may have its own constraints (e.g., in throughput and/or storage). Policy may consider the sharding of files in a manner that honors the constraints. The policy may also be set so that all portions of the shards may be timely accessed in parallel. When sharding, the policy is applied in order to identify initial placement of the computing data unit across the multiple storage locations. Furthermore, the policy may be consulted to determine which storage location to access the shard from and/or which channel to use to access the shard from a given location.

Abstract: Sharding a data unit across storage locations (e.g., data centers, clusters, accounts, and so forth). For each locations, the multi-link traffic constraints in data channeling with the storage location are identified. For instance, for a given data channel leading to and/or from a storage location, there may be multiple links. Each link may have their own constraints (e.g., in throughput and/or storage). Policy may consider the sharding of files in a manner that honors the constraints. The policy may also be set so that all portions of the shards may be timely accessed in parallel. When sharding, the policy is applied in order to identify initial placement of the computing data unit across the multiple storage locations. Furthermore, the policy may be consulted to determine which storage location to access the shard from and/or which channel to use to access the shard from a given location.

Abstract: A system that maps files into multiple parts and initiates storage of each part within a respective storage provider. The mapping facilitates this by correlating each of the multiple parts to a corresponding storage provider which may be different than the storage provider that stores a different part of the same file. The system then initiates storage of the multiple parts of the file in each of their corresponding storage provider in accordance with the mapping, and using a storage-provider-facing API. Similarly, retrieval and/or editing of a partial file may be accomplished by referencing the mapping, and using the same API issued to the appropriate storage provider. Each storage provider is capable of interfacing with the system using this same API.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide techniques whereby a user may perform a system reset (e.g., to address system performance and/or reliability degradation, such as which may be caused by unused applications that unnecessarily consume system resources, an attempted un-install of an application that left remnants of the application behind, and/or other causes). In some embodiments, performing a system reset replaces a first instance of an operating system on the system with a new instance of the operating system, and removes any applications installed on the system, without disturbing the user's data.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide techniques whereby a user may perform a system reset (e.g., to address system performance and/or reliability degradation, such as which may be caused by unused applications that unnecessarily consume system resources, an attempted un-install of an application that left remnants of the application behind, and/or other causes). In some embodiments, performing a system reset replaces a first instance of an operating system on the system with a new instance of the operating system, and removes any applications installed on the system, without disturbing the user's data.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide techniques whereby a user may perform a system reset (e.g., to address system performance and/or reliability degradation, such as which may be caused by unused applications that unnecessarily consume system resources, an attempted un-install of an application that left remnants of the application behind, and/or other causes). In some embodiments, performing a system reset replaces a first instance of an operating system on the system with a new instance of the operating system, and removes any applications installed on the system, without disturbing the user's data.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide techniques whereby a user may perform a system reset (e.g., to address system performance and/or reliability degradation, such as which may be caused by unused applications that unnecessarily consume system resources, an attempted un-install of an application that left remnants of the application behind, and/or other causes). In some embodiments, performing a system reset replaces a first instance of an operating system on the system with a new instance of the operating system, and removes any applications installed on the system, without disturbing the user's data.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide techniques whereby a user may perform a system reset (e.g., to address system performance and/or reliability degradation, such as which may be caused by unused applications that unnecessarily consume system resources, an attempted un-install of an application that left remnants of the application behind, and/or other causes). In some embodiments, performing a system reset replaces a first instance of an operating system on the system with a new instance of the operating system, and removes any applications installed on the system, without disturbing the user's data.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide techniques for performing system reset and/or system restore operations. Some embodiments store a record of any changes performed to a data file stored on a virtual hard disk using differencing virtual disks that are captured over time. To restore the file to the state in which it existed at any particular point in time, embodiments of the invention may allow for rolling back the system to a differencing virtual disk captured at or before that time and setting aside blocks of the differencing virtual disk chain captured after that point. To perform a system reset, the system may be rolled back to the parent virtual hard disk, by setting aside all of the blocks of the differencing virtual disk chain. Some embodiments of the invention provide for separating information on the system into a plurality of entities, and maintaining a separate set of differencing virtual disks for each entity.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide techniques whereby a user may perform a system reset (e.g., to address system performance and/or reliability degradation, such as which may be caused by unused applications that unnecessarily consume system resources, an attempted un-install of an application that left remnants of the application behind, and/or other causes). In some embodiments, performing a system reset replaces a first instance of an operating system on the system with a new instance of the operating system, and removes any applications installed on the system, without disturbing the user's data.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide techniques whereby a user may perform a system reset (e.g., to address system performance and/or reliability degradation, such as which may be caused by unused applications that unnecessarily consume system resources, an attempted un-install of an application that left remnants of the application behind, and/or other causes). In some embodiments, performing a system reset replaces a first instance of an operating system on the system with a new instance of the operating system, and removes any applications installed on the system, without disturbing the user's data.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide techniques for performing system reset and/or system restore operations. Some embodiments store a record of any changes performed to a data file stored on a virtual hard disk using differencing virtual disks that are captured over time. To restore the file to the state in which it existed at any particular point in time, embodiments of the invention may allow for rolling back the system to a differencing virtual disk captured at or before that time and setting aside blocks of the differencing virtual disk chain captured after that point. To perform a system reset, the system may be rolled back to the parent virtual hard disk, by setting aside all of the blocks of the differencing virtual disk chain. Some embodiments of the invention provide for separating information on the system into a plurality of entities, and maintaining a separate set of differencing virtual disks for each entity.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide components and/or techniques that may assist in choosing a snapshot to which to roll back to address a system malfunction. For example, some embodiments of the invention may record various metrics describing the system's performance, reliability and/or functionality at the points at which various snapshots are taken, along any of numerous dimensions. When a user later indicates a desire to restore the system to a previous point, these metrics may be analyzed to choose a snapshot to which to roll back.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide techniques whereby a user may perform a system reset (e.g., to address system performance and/or reliability degradation, such as which may be caused by unused applications that unnecessarily consume system resources, an attempted un-install of an application that left remnants of the application behind, and/or other causes). In some embodiments, performing a system reset replaces a first instance of an operating system on the system with a new instance of the operating system, and removes any applications installed on the system, without disturbing the user's data.