Abstract: In general, in one aspect, a method for managing data in a data storage system includes receiving identifiers corresponding to different respective entries of a map stored in the data storage system, with a particular identifier corresponding to a particular entry of the map, the particular entry including a computed value corresponding to a particular portion of data stored in the data storage system and metadata indicating a location where the particular portion of data is stored in the data storage system, selecting, according to a first selection criterion, at least some of the identifiers for storage in a first portion of an index, and selecting, according to a second selection criterion, at least some of the identifiers for storage in a second portion of the index.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, a method for managing data in a data storage system includes receiving identifiers corresponding to different respective entries of a map stored in the data storage system, with a particular identifier corresponding to a particular entry of the map, the particular entry including a computed value corresponding to a particular portion of data stored in the data storage system and metadata indicating a location where the particular portion of data is stored in the data storage system, selecting, according to a first selection criterion, at least some of the identifiers for storage in a first portion of an index, and selecting, according to a second selection criterion, at least some of the identifiers for storage in a second portion of the index.

Abstract: A method for encoding a block of data to allow it to be stored or transmitted correctly in the face of accidental or deliberate modifications, the method including constructing a number n greater than one of original components, each of which is derived from the block and each of which is smaller than the block, and combining original components to construct a number m greater than one of new components, wherein each of the new components is smaller than the sum of the sizes of the original components combined to produce it, wherein the block can be reconstructed from any set of n different components selected from the original components and new components, and wherein a set of n different components selected from the original components and new components contains more redundant information about the block than the set of n original components.

Abstract: A method for encoding a block of data to allow it to be stored or transmitted correctly in the face of accidental or deliberate modifications, the method including constructing a number n greater than one of original components, each of which is derived from the block and each of which is smaller than the block, and combining original components to construct a number m greater than one of new components, wherein each of the new components is smaller than the sum of the sizes of the original components combined to produce it, wherein the block can be reconstructed from any set of n different components selected from the original components and new components, and wherein a set of n different components selected from the original components and new components contains more redundant information about the block than the set of n original components.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiment of the present invention provides a method of inserting a software created virtual interface between the user of a host electronic device and a network storage medium. Data read and write requests are written to the virtual interface. The virtual interface is located on the host electronic device and allocates data to available storage mediums. Recovery and reconfiguration operations on the storage mediums holding stored data are hidden from the user by the virtual interface and may be performed contemporaneously with the user accessing the stored data.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiment of the present invention provides a method of inserting a software created virtual interface between the user of a host electronic device and a network storage medium. Data read and write requests are written to the virtual interface. The virtual interface is located on the host electronic device and allocates data to available storage mediums. Recovery and reconfiguration operations on the storage mediums holding stored data are hidden from the user by the virtual interface and may be performed contemporaneously with the user accessing the stored data.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiment of the present invention provides a method for automating the allocation of network storage. The method of the present invention enables a system administrator or other authorized user to set policies for network storage. Available storage locations are dynamically located by attribute. The network storage policy is interpreted and applied to the available storage locations. By automating the storage allocation process, the storage policy is consistently applied without user intervention thus allowing a system administrator to devote more time to other network management responsibilities.