Abstract: Various systems and methods for configuring backup and replication operations. For example, a method involves a backup system receiving storage configuration information regarding a replication topology of a storage system. The backup system uses the storage configuration information to configure a backup operation. The backup operation is configured in accord with specifications included in backup information. Configuring the backup operation includes selecting a source volume and a target volume, using the storage configuration information. Once the backup operation is configured, the backup operation is initiated. Performing the backup operation involves creating a backup image on the selected source volume and replicating the backup image to the selected target volume.

Abstract: Techniques for integrating backup applications and/or modules with virtualized storage are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a computer implemented method for integrating a backup module with a storage appliance comprising sending a storage device command to a source storage appliance from a source backup module, executing at the source storage appliance the storage device command, and updating one or more source storage indicators associated with the source storage appliance, wherein the one or more source storage indicators include replication status information for one or more portions of electronic storage associated with the source storage appliance.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and method for updating backup configuration information used by backup software to perform backup operations for a storage cluster are described. Backup configuration information specifying a configuration of the storage cluster may be stored. Subsequently, a particular change to the configuration of the storage cluster may be automatically detected. In response to detecting the particular change, the backup configuration information may be automatically updated to reflect the particular change to the configuration of the storage cluster. Subsequent backup operations may then be performed using the updated backup configuration information.

Abstract: A system and method for backing up data from a clustered storage system are described herein. The method may operate to automatically determine the configuration of the clustered storage system, e.g., by detecting each storage node in the clustered storage system, detecting the storage volumes hosted by each storage node, and detecting the backup storage devices to which each storage node is connected. The method may operate to backup the plurality of storage volumes by performing a plurality of backup tasks. Performing each respective backup task may comprises selecting a particular storage volume to backup from a particular storage node to a particular backup storage device depending upon the configuration information and information indicating currently active backup tasks in the clustered storage system.

Abstract: Techniques for integrating backup applications and/or modules with virtualized storage are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a computer implemented method for integrating a backup module with a storage appliance comprising sending a storage device command to a source storage appliance from a source backup module, executing at the source storage appliance the storage device command, and updating one or more source storage indicators associated with the source storage appliance, wherein the one or more source storage indicators include replication status information for one or more portions of electronic storage associated with the source storage appliance.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems and methods for providing external device support for a device driver abstraction layer are disclosed. Some embodiments of a method may involve: accessing attribute information associating each of several keys with a respective device attributes, where each of the keys identifies a respective device; and configuring an interface to a device driver for communication with a device dependent on which device attributes the attribute information associates with the key that identifies the device. Configuring the interface may configure the interface to include one or more of interface features. Each of the interface features may support a respective device attribute.

Abstract: A virtual tape library may be configured to delete or free data blocks corresponding to expired backup images. A virtual tape volume may comprise multiple backup images, each corresponding to data stored by a backup application. The backup application may expire individual backup images of a virtual tape volume without expiring the entire virtual tape volume. In contrast to traditional virtual tape libraries, the virtual tape library described herein may delete, free and/or reuse the data blocks corresponding to expired backup images even before the entire virtual tape volume is expired.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems and methods for providing external device support for a device driver abstraction layer are disclosed. Some embodiments of a method may involve: accessing attribute information associating each of several keys with a respective device attributes, where each of the keys identifies a respective device; and configuring an interface to a device driver for communication with a device dependent on which device attributes the attribute information associates with the key that identifies the device. Configuring the interface may configure the interface to include one or more of interface features. Each of the interface features may support a respective device attribute.