Abstract: A method and system for backing up and restoring data in a file system that includes junctions is provided. In a backup operation, a junction is encoded as a symbolic link (“symlink”) directive, and sent with a sequential image data stream in the backup operation and written to a tape or disk. In a restore operation, when the encoded symlink directive is encountered after data is read from the tape, the symlink is decoded by an administrator to obtain the embedded junction information contained in the symlink directive. The administrator can then recreate the junction using the information. The junction information is thereby transmitted as part of the backup and restore operation while remaining transparent to third party software performing the backup and restore processes.

Abstract: A technique provides a dedicated software thread for communicating backup history to clients of a storage system during backup operations. Illustratively, an operating system of the storage system may execute one or more “session” (e.g., backup) threads and a “worker” (e.g., backup history) thread. In particular, the one or more session threads are each configured to backup stored data for a corresponding client to a backup storage device and to generate backup history of data backed up to the backup storage device. Also, the worker thread is configured to obtain the backup history from the one or more session threads, and transmit the backup history to the corresponding client of each of the one or more session threads. In this manner, the worker thread may wait for a response from the corresponding clients, while the one or more corresponding session threads continue to backup the stored data and generate backup history.