Abstract: Method and apparatus for evaluating a backup policy in a computer network is described. In one example, a control limit is established for each of a plurality of backup tasks in the backup policy based on a set of backup statistics. An aggregate requirement for the backup policy is computed by combining control limits for the plurality of backup tasks. The aggregate requirement is compared with aggregate capabilities of the computer network. The backup policy is evaluated based on the results of the comparison.

Abstract: Data protection systems and methods may be used to automatically gather and assemble configuration information needed for the successful recovery of distributed applications running on several servers. In one implementation, a data protection system includes a collection module and a recovery report generation module. The collection module may gather configuration information regarding several servers used by a distributed application. The configuration information may include information regarding data archived from the servers and information for restoring the archived data, such as hardware configurations and path locations of original data stored on the servers and of archived data. The recovery report generation module may assemble recovery instructions based on the configuration information. The recovery instructions may be usable for restoring the distributed computing system in the event of a disaster or other failure involving one or more of the servers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a statistical process control to establish alarm criteria for backup processes in a storage management system. The method and apparatus accumulates sample parameters for a plurality of backup runs to build a statistical model of the backup process. The parameters collected from subsequent backup runs are compared to the norms within the model to determine whether the current backup fulfills those norms or is outside of those norms. If the current backup parameters are outside the norms, an alarm is triggered to indicate an abnormal situation.