Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and method for backing up a plurality of copies of a file are described. A first copy of the file may be owned by a first user, and a second copy of the file may be owned by a second user. The file is split into a plurality of segments, and each segment is encrypted with a respective segment key. Each encrypted segment is transmitted to and stored on a server computer system. De-duplication techniques are used to ensure that only a single instance of each encrypted segment is stored. The segment keys used to encrypt the file segments are also stored on the server computer system in an encrypted form. De-duplication techniques may be utilized so that only a single instance of the encrypted segment keys is stored.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and method for performing file backup operations are described. The method may operate to enable a user of a computer system to provide a password or other authentication information to associate with files on the computer system, e.g., in order to protect files that are backed up. For example, when the user (or another person or software agent) attempts to restore or otherwise access a backup copy of a password-protected file, the user may be prompted to enter the password. The method may operate to verify that the entered password matches the password associated with the file before granting permission to restore the file.

Abstract: A system and method for managing single instance storage. A computer system includes at least two backup servers, each backup server included in a single-instance storage pool. A first backup server conveys a first de-duplicated list identifying data segments from the first storage pool to a second backup server. The first backup server receives from the second backup server a second de-duplicated list identifying a subset of the data segments and conveys the subset of the data segments to the second backup server. In response to receiving the first list from the first backup server, the second backup server de-duplicates the first list against a second storage pool and conveys the second list to the first backup server. In response to receiving the subset of the data segments, the second backup server adds the received data segments to the second storage pool.

Abstract: A system and method for managing single instance storage. A computer system includes at least two backup servers, each backup server included in a single-instance storage pool. A first backup server conveys a first de-duplicated list identifying data segments from the first storage pool to a second backup server. The first backup server receives from the second backup server a second de-duplicated list identifying a subset of the data segments and conveys the subset of the data segments to the second backup server. In response to receiving the first list from the first backup server, the second backup server de-duplicates the first list against a second storage pool and conveys the second list to the first backup server. In response to receiving the subset of the data segments, the second backup server adds the received data segments to the second storage pool.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and method for performing file backup operations are described. The method may operate to enable a user of a computer system to provide a password or other authentication information to associate with files on the computer system, e.g., in order to protect files that are backed up. For example, when the user (or another person or software agent) attempts to restore or otherwise access a backup copy of a password-protected file, the user may be prompted to enter the password. The method may operate to verify that the entered password matches the password associated with the file before granting permission to restore the file.