Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method for backing up heterogeneous virtual environments may include (1) identifying a request to back up a virtual machine executing on a host system, (2) creating a storage map of a virtual storage environment of the virtual machine by (a) identifying, from the host system, a virtual disk file that stores data for the virtual machine and (b) identifying, from a guest system operating within the virtual machine, one or more virtual storage devices that store data for the virtual machine, and (3) creating a unified backup of the virtual machine based on the storage map of the virtual storage environment by coordinating a backup operation of the virtual disk file with a backup operation of the virtual storage device. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for facilitating features of system recovery environments during restore operations may include (1) identifying an automated backup tool capable of backing up system state data of a computing system, (2) detecting a backup operation performed on the computing system, (3) determining, during the backup operation, that the computing system includes (i) a boot volume that supports an operating system of the computing system and (ii) at least one separate recovery volume that facilitates the use of at least one feature of a system recovery environment, and then (4) directing the automated backup tool to back up the separate recovery volume as system state data to enable the system recovery environment to provide the feature based at least in part on the separate recovery volume during a restore of the computing system. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing file-level restoration from a block-based backup file stored on a sequential storage device is described. In one embodiment, a method of processing a backup file to perform file-level restoration from a sequential storage device comprises generating extent information, wherein the extent information pertains to at least one file system object associated with a backup file, wherein the backup file is to be stored on a sequential storage device, wherein the backup file is block-based and processing a backup catalog, wherein the backup catalog indicates locations of various portions of the extent information and is used to restore a file system object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating and using a snapshot in data backup and/or other data services. The method creates snapshot(s) of volume(s) using a select set of Snapshot Providers, transports the snapshots to a server for processing and processes the snapshots. Processing may include creating a backup, data mining the snapshot, and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing file-level restoration from a block-based backup file stored on a sequential storage device is described. In one embodiment, a method of processing a backup file to perform file-level restoration from a sequential storage device comprises generating extent information, wherein the extent information pertains to at least one file system object associated with a backup file, wherein the backup file is to be stored on a sequential storage device, wherein the backup file is block-based and processing a backup catalog, wherein the backup catalog indicates locations of various portions of the extent information and is used to restore a file system object.

Abstract: Restore software executing in a computer system may invoke a snapshot of a target volume before restoring a plurality of files from a backup image to the target volume. If the restore operation fails before all the files are restored to the target volume then the restore software may use the snapshot to return one or more of the files to their original states as they existed before the restore operation was initiated.

Abstract: Techniques for virtualizing data are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for virtualizing data comprising identifying source data to be virtualized, intercepting an input/output (i/o) request to the source data, determining whether the input/output request is a read request or a write request, in the event the input/output request is a write request, storing one or more changes contained in the write request, and in the event the input/output request is a read request, determining whether a portion of data requested has been modified and responding to the read request. Responding to the read request may comprise providing stored data in the event a portion of the data requested has been modified, and utilizing source data in the event the data requested is unmodified.

Abstract: Restore software executing in a computer system may invoke a snapshot of a target volume before restoring a plurality of files from a backup image to the target volume. If the restore operation fails before all the files are restored to the target volume then the restore software may use the snapshot to return one or more of the files to their original states as they existed before the restore operation was initiated.