Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium for managing virtual hard disks in a cloud computing/storage environment are provided. The method includes associating, using a virtual hard disk (VHD) management system of a server device, a plurality of data blocks of a virtual hard disk stored at a cloud vendor to a corresponding plurality of cloud objects. A plurality of cloud object identifiers associated with the plurality of cloud objects in a first cloud allocation table are stored. Changes to one or more data blocks are determined. Corresponding new cloud allocation tables for every data block in the plurality of data blocks that has changed are formed, the new cloud allocation tables having corresponding new cloud object identifiers. The first and the new cloud allocation tables are downloaded and merged to form an updated cloud allocation table. The updated cloud allocation table is uploaded to the cloud vendor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to manage a storage object in a data backup storage mechanism, which stores multiple versions of a data file received from a data source. To efficiently manage storage in the storage object, determinations may be made as to whether a number of free data blocks (i.e., data blocks available for re-use) of the storage object exceeds a threshold and whether a data block(s) of the data file corresponding to a valid data block(s) of the storage object has not been modified in at least a number of previous versions of the data file. Responsive to a result of one or both of these determinations, data in the valid data block(s) may be copied to unused data block(s) in another storage object, and the status of the valid data block(s) is updated to free data block(s) such that all blocks in the storage object are free data blocks.

Abstract: Supporting multiple backup applications using a single change tracker includes receiving, from a backup application, a request to associate with a backup map, replicating the backup map to create a replica backup map associated with the backup application, and updating the replica backup map based on changes in the backup map.

Abstract: A notifying system to notify a backup application of a backup key change includes receiving, from a backup application, a request to associate with a backup key, replicating the backup key to create a replica backup key, associating the replica backup key with the backup application, monitoring the backup key for a change, the change indicating a backup event has occurred, and setting the replica backup key to indicate the backup key has changed.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving a first user hash value associated with data of a first user of a deduplication system, and comparing the first user hash value with each of a plurality of hash values stored in a first user hash store of the deduplication system. When it is determined that the first user hash value does not match one of the plurality of hash values stored in the first user hash store, first user hash value may be compared to each of a plurality of hash values stored in a global user hash store of the deduplication system associated with a plurality of users. When it is determined that the first user hash value matches one of the plurality of hash values stored in the global user hash store, the method may further comprise deleting the data after receiving the data associated with the first user hash value.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium for managing virtual hard disks in a cloud computing/storage environment are provided. The method includes associating, using a virtual hard disk (VHD) management system of a server device, a plurality of data blocks of a virtual hard disk stored at a cloud vendor to a corresponding plurality of cloud objects. A plurality of cloud object identifiers associated with the plurality of cloud objects in a first cloud allocation table are stored. Changes to one or more data blocks are determined. Corresponding new cloud allocation tables for every data block in the plurality of data blocks that has changed are formed, the new cloud allocation tables having corresponding new cloud object identifiers. The first and the new cloud allocation tables are downloaded and merged to form an updated cloud allocation table. The updated cloud allocation table is uploaded to the cloud vendor.

Abstract: A notifying system to notify a backup application of a backup key change includes receiving, from a backup application, a request to associate with a backup key, replicating the backup key to create a replica backup key, associating the replica backup key with the backup application, monitoring the backup key for a change, the change indicating a backup event has occurred, and setting the replica backup key to indicate the backup key has changed.

Abstract: Supporting multiple backup applications using a single change tracker includes receiving, from a backup application, a request to associate with a backup map, replicating the backup map to create a replica backup map associated with the backup application, and updating the replica backup map based on changes in the backup map.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving a first user hash value associated with data of a first user of a deduplication system, and comparing the first user hash value with each of a plurality of hash values stored in a first user hash store of the deduplication system. When it is determined that the first user hash value does not match one of the plurality of hash values stored in the first user hash store, first user hash value may be compared to each of a plurality of hash values stored in a global user hash store of the deduplication system associated with a plurality of users. When it is determined that the first user hash value matches one of the plurality of hash values stored in the global user hash store, the method may further comprise deleting the data after receiving the data associated with the first user hash value.

Abstract: A system and method for managing zone integrity in a storage area network (SAN) is provided. A SAN fabric may be partitioned into one or more zone sets, where each zone set may include a plurality of zones. A topology of any of the zones may be modified, without compromising zone integrity, by converting the zone into a topologically dynamic zone. The zone may be converted by redefining members of the zone in terms of their respective member definitions, which may be specific attributes used to identify the members in the fabric. As such, zone integrity may be preserved when a topology of any member of the converted zone is modified.

Abstract: A system and method for managing zone integrity in a storage area network (SAN) is provided. A SAN fabric may be partitioned into one or more zone sets, where each zone set may include a plurality of zones. A topology of any of the zones may be modified, without compromising zone integrity, by converting the zone into a topologically dynamic zone. The zone may be converted by redefining members of the zone in terms of their respective member definitions, which may be specific attributes used to identify the members in the fabric. As such, zone integrity may be preserved when a topology of any member of the converted zone is modified.