Abstract: In a block-based backup system, a technique allows indexing changed files between backups so that files not changed are not re-indexed. Block identifiers specifying backed-up blocks are received. A file table record is accessed to determine a location of a file table zone. Records in the file table store last modified timestamps for files associated with the records. The file table zone location is compared with the block identifiers to select a subset of records. Each record in the subset is associated with a block from the file table zone that corresponds to a block identified by the block identifiers. The subset is parsed to extract timestamps. The timestamps are compared with a next-to-last backup date. If the associated file was modified after the next-to-last backup date, a determination is made that the file blocks were backed up in the last backup and the file should be indexed.

Abstract: A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for protecting data. In some embodiments, this includes identifying a parent virtual container, identifying a linked child virtual container, creating a fast copy of the parent virtual container and the linked child virtual container, and consolidating the copy of the parent virtual container and the copy of the linked child virtual container based on the format of the parent virtual container.

Abstract: Changed files since a last backup are identified to be backed up by reverse mapping changed blocks to files. Block identifiers specifying blocks on a storage volume are received. A location of a file table zone is determined. The file table zone stores a file table of records. Each record stores a last modified timestamp for a file associated with the record. An intersection is created from the file table zone location and the block identifiers. The intersection includes a subset of records where each record in the subset is associated with a block from the file table zone that corresponds to a block identified by the block identifiers. The subset is parsed to extract timestamps. The timestamps are compared with the storage volume's last backup date. If the associated file was modified after the last backup date, a determination is made that the file should be backed up.

Abstract: A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for protecting data. In some embodiments, this includes taking a snapshot of a physical volume with a native snapshot program, determining which blocks have changed since a previous snapshot with a change block tracker, creating a child virtual container, populating the child virtual container with the changed blocks, and linking the child virtual container with a parent virtual container.

Abstract: A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for protecting data. In some embodiments, this includes taking a snapshot of a physical volume with a native snapshot program, reading the snapshot block by block, creating a blank virtual container on a deduplicated virtual storage device, and populating the blank virtual container block by block based on reading the snapshot.