Abstract: A system and method are provided for retention of data on a storage system. An application program provides the storage system with data to be stored on the storage system. The application program also provides the storage system with a retention period that indicates a period of time for which the data may not be deleted. When the storage system receives a request to delete the data, it first evaluates the retention period associated with that data to determine if the retention period has expired. If the retention period has not expired, the storage system denies the request to delete the data.

Abstract: One embodiment is a system for locating content on a storage system, in which the storage system provides a location hint to the host of where the data is physically stored, which the host can resubmit with future access requests. In another embodiment, an index that maps content addresses to physical storage locations is cached on the storage system. In yet another embodiment, intrinsic locations are used to select a storage location for newly written data based on an address of the data. In a further embodiment, units of data that are stored at approximately the same time having location index entries that are proximate in the index.

Abstract: Representing a number of assets on an originating computer begins with selecting the assets to be represented. Cryptographic hash asset identifiers are generated; each of the asset identifiers is computed using the contents of a particular asset. The asset identifier is a content-based or content-addressable asset name for the asset and is location independent. An asset list is generated that includes the asset identifiers computed from the assets. A cryptographic hash asset list identifier is generated that is computed from the asset list. The asset list identifier is stored for later retrieval. The assets selected are also stored for safekeeping either locally or on a computer network. In the event of loss of the files from the originating computer, the asset list identifier is retrieved. Using the asset list identifier, the original asset list is found and retrieved from its safe location.

Abstract: Representing a number of assets on an originating computer begins with selecting the assets to be represented. Cryptographic hash asset identifiers are generated; each of the asset identifiers is computed using the contents of a particular asset. The asset identifier is a content-based or content-addressable asset name for the asset and is location independent. An asset list is generated that includes the asset identifiers computed from the assets. A cryptographic hash asset list identifier is generated that is computed from the asset list. The asset list identifier is stored for later retrieval. The assets selected are also stored for safekeeping either locally or on a computer network. In the event of loss of the files from the originating computer, the asset list identifier is retrieved. Using the asset list identifier, the original asset list is found and retrieved from its safe location.

Abstract: Representing a number of assets on an originating computer begins with selecting the assets to be represented. Cryptographic hash asset identifiers are generated; each of the asset identifiers is computed using the contents of a particular asset. The asset identifier is a content-based or content-addressable asset name for the asset and is location independent. An asset list is generated that includes the asset identifiers computed from the assets. A cryptographic hash asset list identifier is generated that is computed from the asset list. The asset list identifier is stored for later retrieval. The assets selected are also stored for safekeeping either locally or on a computer network. In the event of loss of the files from the originating computer, the asset list identifier is retrieved. Using the asset list identifier, the original asset list is found and retrieved from its safe location.

Abstract: Representing a number of assets on an originating computer begins with selecting the assets to be represented. Cryptographic hash asset identifiers are generated; each of the asset identifiers is computed using the contents of a particular asset. The asset identifier is a content-based or content-addressable asset name for the asset and is location independent. An asset list is generated that includes the asset identifiers computed from the assets. A cryptographic hash asset list identifier is generated that is computed from the asset list. The asset list identifier is stored for later retrieval. The assets selected are also stored for safekeeping either locally or on a computer network. In the event of loss of the files from the originating computer, the asset list identifier is retrieved. Using the asset list identifier, the original asset list is found and retrieved from its safe location.

Abstract: Representing a number of assets on an originating computer begins with selecting the assets to be represented. Cryptographic hash asset identifiers are generated; each of the asset identifiers is computed using the contents of a particular asset. The asset identifier is a content-based or content-addressable asset name for the asset and is location independent. An asset list is generated that includes the asset identifiers computed from the assets. A cryptographic hash asset list identifier is generated that is computed from the asset list. The asset list identifier is stored for later retrieval. The assets selected are also stored for safekeeping either locally or on a computer network. In the event of loss of the files from the originating computer, the asset list identifier is retrieved. Using the asset list identifier, the original asset list is found and retrieved from its safe location.

Abstract: Access to content addressable data on a network is facilitated using digital information storing devices or data repositories (“silos”) that monitor broadcast data requests over the network. A number of silos automatically monitor both data requests and data itself that are broadcast over a network. The silos selectively store data. Each silo responds to data requests broadcast over the network with data the silo has previously intercepted. A content addressable file scheme is used to enable the data repositories to reliably identify data being requested. When a data request is received, each silo evaluates whether it has all or a portion of the data being requested and responds to requests when it has the data. Requests for data are implemented by broadcasting a cryptographic hash data identifier of the data file needed. The data identifier is used by a silo to determine which data to receive and store.