Abstract: Data recovery is enabled using techniques described herein. A system can include data storage devices configured in a plurality of logical configurations, wherein the logical configurations are respectively associated with respective groups of the data storage devices, and wherein the respective groups of the data storage devices are structured such that at least a first one of the respective groups of the data storage devices comprises a different number of data storage devices than a second one of the respective groups of the data storage devices; and respective parity storage devices communicatively coupled to the data storage devices, wherein respective ones of the groups of the data storage devices are associated with respective ones of the parity storage devices.

Abstract: Implementations disclosed herein provide for cauterizing portions of a snapshot. A file and/or directory or a set of files and directories of a snapshot can be identified via a user request or an automated process for cauterization. When cauterized, if a previous snapshot does not contain a ditto entry to the portion of the current snapshot that is requested to be cauterized, the BADDR associated with the cauterized portion of the snapshot can be freed for other storage use. In some implementations, metadata associated with the data that is cauterized can be retained for other uses.