Abstract: A database image may be updated with incremental changes without replicating the production database. Each set of changes to the production database are stored in a differencing disk. Two or more identical chains of differencing disks are created. One chain is an active chain, and database clones may be served from the active chain for use by users. After reaching a predetermined length on an inactive chain, the differencing disks on the inactive chain are merged into a single merged differencing disk, and the inactive chain becomes an active chain, from which new database clones may be served to users. The chains may alternate between being inactive and active chains.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for processing a transaction that has been aborted on a source system. Transactions are completed within a transaction processing system, and the transactions are replicated from a source database to a target database by a replication engine. Each transaction is a series of one or more transaction steps or operations. The aborted transaction on the source system was replicated and is a pre-committed transaction on the target database. Transaction pattern data in a transaction pattern table is used to predict when a pre-committed transaction is an erroneously committed transaction. The pre-committed transaction is reversed on the target database when the prediction indicates that the pre-committed transaction was erroneously committed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to fully process an incomplete transaction which is incomplete in either a source database or a target database. Transactions are completed within a transaction processing system that includes a non-static application. The non-static application has a transaction mix that varies over its life cycle. The transactions are replicated from the source database to the target database by a replication engine. Each transaction is a series of one or more transaction steps or operations. A plurality of transaction pattern tables are provided, and one of the transaction pattern tables are selected for use in the process depending upon a time of day or a transaction mix.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to fully process an initially incomplete replicated and committed transaction. A transaction pattern table is provided that includes a plurality of records, each record being defined by a transaction pattern identifier. Each record includes a transaction pattern and a metric of occurrence of the transaction pattern. An incomplete transaction is automatically compared to the transaction patterns in the table and a subset of transaction patterns in the table are identified that are potential candidates for matching the incomplete transaction. The incomplete transaction is categorized using the metric of occurrence of the transaction pattern for each transaction pattern in the subset. The categorization predicts when all steps or operations of the transaction which have completed in the source database have been replicated, and the incomplete transaction is committed based on this prediction.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be implemented in, among other things, a method that includes receiving, by a host server providing a remote desktop environment to a client device, a request from the client device to execute an application, selecting a first terminal server to execute the application, initiating execution of the application on the first terminal server, determining that the application is to be transferred to a second terminal server, determining identifiers of storage locations of one or more application files that are opened by a user of the client device in relation to the application, causing execution of the application on the first terminal server to be terminated; and initiating execution of the application on the second terminal server using the identifiers of the storage locations of the one or more application files.

Abstract: A method and system for countering capacity shortages on storage systems. Specifically, the method and system disclosed herein entail proactively performing countermeasures directed to freeing-up storage capacity on storage systems. The countermeasures may be deployed based on forecasts projecting the future consumption of storage capacity on the storage systems.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for elimination of log file synchronization delay at transaction commit time is provided. One or more change records corresponding to a database transaction are generated. One or more buffer entries comprising the one or more change records are entered into a persistent change log buffer. A commit operation is performed by generating a commit change record corresponding to the database transaction and entering a commit buffer entry comprising the commit change record into the persistent change log buffer. The commit operation returns without waiting for the commit change record to be recorded in a change record log file.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for managing configuration drift of computing resource instances, including instructions to (1) receive a definition of a plurality of functional roles to be played by resource instances within a multi-resource computing system; (2) select, for each of the roles, a designated exemplar from the group of resource instances playing that role; (3) capture characteristics of that designated exemplar and assign the captured characteristics to a functional role template; and (4) during operation, measure configuration drift by comparing resource instances for each functional role to the functional role template associated with that role, such measuring being independent of any comparing to resource instances in the functional role.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer program products for modifying re-accommodations. A report characterizing execution of a re-accommodation may be stored in a report database. The report may include an impacted Passenger Name Record (PNR) table that associates each PNR impacted by the re-accommodation with an identifier. The identifier may identify an envelope in a history file comprising a portion of the history file that documents changes made to the PNR by the re-accommodation. In response to receiving a request to modify the re-accommodation, the report may be retrieved from the report database. PNRs impacted by the previous re-accommodation, and changes made to each PNR, may be determined using data in the impacted PNR table and the history files of the PNRs. The impacted PNR table may thereby enable building and execution of a modifying re-accommodation that selectively undoes or redoes a previously executed re-accommodation to implement new solutions to scheduling changes.

Abstract: A solution is proposed for managing each one of a plurality of computing machines. A corresponding method comprises taking one or more snapshots of the computing machine or part thereof, the snapshots being organized in a snapshot tree of nodes representing the snapshots according to a dependency thereof, expanding the snapshot tree of the computing machine according to each sub-tree of the snapshot tree of each other computing machine having the snapshot of a parent node of the sub-tree matching a graft node of the snapshot tree of the computing machine, the sub-tree being appended to the graft node, selecting a snapshot of the other computing machines represented by a selected node of the snapshot tree of the computing machine, and restoring the selected snapshot on the computing machine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for restoring file system objects from image level backups of servers. The method receives a selection of an image level backup of a source, file system object(s) to be restored, and restoration parameters identifying a destination. The method initializes and attaches a virtual storage to a virtual appliance and an associated hypervisor. The method stores virtual storage data changes resulting from the file system object restoration in changes storage. The method preserves file system object information, wherein the file system object information corresponds to the source operating system (OS) and file system. The method preserves file system object information such as permissions and ownership through business logic that ensures that the file system object information for restored file system object(s) on the destination match file system object information from the source, even when the method operates on a host running a different OS than the source server.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for detecting malware may include 1) identifying a file represented within a file system by a file name, 2) identifying a creation of a hard link to the file that uses an additional file name, 3) updating a database with an association between the file name and the additional file name, 4) identifying a file-closing operation within the file system and determining that the target file name of the file-closing operation was removed from the file system after the file-closing operation, 5) querying the database with the target file name and identifying an existing file name representing the file based on the association, and 6) scanning the existing file name for malware in response to the file-closing operation instead of scanning the target file name because the target file name was removed from the file system. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A data size characteristic of contents of a related unit of data to be written to a storage by an input/output module of a data storage application can be determined, and a storage page size consistent with the data size can be selected from a plurality of storage page sizes. The related unit of data can be assigned to a storage page having the selected storage page size, and the storage page can be passed to the input/output module so that the input/output module physically clusters the contents of the related unit of data when the input/output module writes the contents of the related unit of data to the storage. Related methods, systems, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is described where restoration of unnecessary data is prevented, and a storage area of the image forming apparatus is effectively utilized. When an option to increase the storage capacity of the image forming apparatus is selected, data backed up by a backup unit is set as data to be restored by a restore unit. When the option to increase the storage capacity of the image forming apparatus is not selected, data indicated by data identification information as being required data is set as data to be restored by the restore unit from among the data backed up by the backup unit.

Abstract: According to embodiments described herein, a backup server maintains backup data for a set of data, which includes data for a first block and a second block. Backup data for the first and second block include backup data for a plurality of versions of the first and second block. A distinct watermark is stored for each version of the first block and each version of the second block. In response to a request to perform a restoration operation on the set of data, a particular version of the first block and a particular version of the second block are selected to use in the restoration operation by comparing a restoration target with the watermarks of the version of the first block and second block. The selected version of the first block has a different watermark than the selected version of the second block.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to synchronizing dictionaries of acceleration nodes in a computer network. For example, dictionaries of a plurality of acceleration nodes of a client-server network can be synchronized to each include one or more identical data items and data identifier pairs. Synchronization can include transmitting a particular data item, or a combination of a data item and an associated data identifier, to another acceleration node which includes it in its dictionary. A particular acceleration node can, instead of transmitting a data item, transmit an associated data identifier to another acceleration node. As all (or a subset) of the acceleration nodes can have an identical dictionary when employing the methods described herein, the particular acceleration node can use the same dictionary to communicate with all (or the subset of) other acceleration nodes of the computer network.

Abstract: Both redo operations and undo operations are provided for returning a database that is corrupted to a correct state. When corruption of the database is detected, an automatic selection is made of one or more operations from the redo operations and undo operations for returning the database that is corrupted to a correct state. The selected one or more redo and undo operations are then performed on the database, thereby returning the database that is corrupted to a correct state.

Abstract: Techniques for accelerating data movement from a source storage system to a target storage system are described herein. According to one embodiment, a first data stream is received to be transmitted to a remote storage system over a network, the first data stream having multiple data objects, each identified by a data object identifier (ID). A difference is determined between the first data stream and a second data stream that has been previously transmitted to the remote storage system, including identifying one or more data objects that are added, deleted, and/or modified. Differential object information is transmitted to the target storage representing the difference between the first data stream and the second data stream, as well as one or more data objects that are missing in the second data stream without having to transmit all data objects of the first data stream.

Abstract: A cluster network environment may comprise a plurality of nodes configured to perform various tasks, such as data I/O, storage, backup, etc. It may be advantageous to improve disaster recovery and reliability by creating backups that may be used to restore the cluster network environment and/or nodes therein. Accordingly, one or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for restoring a cluster network environment and/or nodes therein. In particular, cluster configuration data, which may be stored in a healthy node or at a remote source, may be used to restore a node affected by an integrity loss. If the integrity loss affects the cluster network environment (e.g., a majority of healthy nodes are lost), then a new cluster network environment may be created from a healthy node or a restored healthy node. The creation of the new cluster network environment may be based at least in part on cluster configuration data.

Abstract: A database rollback processor allows rollback, or rewind, of the data and metadata to a point at which a failover or other metadata change occurred, therefore “rewinding” the metadata to a previous consistent point. The rollback processor identifies transaction entries in a redo log resulting in changes to the metadata. The changes are identified backward to a target recovery time. Transactions affecting the metadata are stored in a stack. The transactions are then backed out of the metadata according to the stack to restore the metadata to the state at the target recovery time. Data changes from the redo log may then be applied to the corresponding metadata as it existed at the target recovery time. Since the target recovery time is not bound by the timing of the snapshots, but rather may be at an arbitrary point chosen as the target recovery time, a failover, replication or recovery operation need not rely on the snapshot time.

Abstract: The present description refers to a computer implemented method, computer program product, and computer system for receiving a start time, selecting one or more database objects for which a database recovery progress report is to be provided, determining, based on an object recovery table generated by the database recovery utility, which of the selected database objects have been recovered since the start time, and outputting a database recovery progress report that identifies at least a number or percentage of the selected database objects that have been recovered by the database recovery utility since the start time.

Abstract: A storage system maintains a journal and a snapshot of one or more data volumes. Two journal entry types are maintained, an AFTER journal entry and a BEFORE journal entry. Two modes of data recovery are provided: “fast” recovery and “undo-able”recovery. A combination of both recovery modes allows the user to quickly recover a targeted data state.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a critical partitioned dataset extended (PDSE) stored to memory of the system; logic adapted for protecting the critical PDSE by creating a copy of the critical PDSE, referred to as a PDSE copy; logic adapted for providing a critical dataset redundancy (CDR) task with exclusive access to the PDSE copy; logic adapted for providing a replacement critical PDSE by redirecting corralled connections to the PDSE copy; logic adapted for protecting the replacement critical PDSE by creating a copy of the replacement critical PDSE, referred to as a replacement PDSE copy; and logic adapted for providing the CDR task with exclusive access to the replacement PDSE copy.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for synchronizing a primary data system with an auxiliary data system that processes data for the primary data system. In one embodiment, how current the primary data system and the auxiliary data system are is determined. Requests sent from the primary data system that were not processed by the auxiliary data system are determined. The requests are resent to the auxiliary data system for processing.

Abstract: To synchronize databases between disparate data processing environments, a buffer, which is part of a first data processing environment having a first database, is loaded with a database update. Loading the buffer does not commit the database update to the first database in the first data processing environment. A remote function is called in the first data processing environment to apply the database update to a second database in a disparate second data processing environment. In response to the remote function determining that the second database has been successfully updated with the database update, the database update is committed to the first database. In response to the remote function determining that the second database has not been successfully updated with the database update, the database update is rolled back in the buffer such that the first data processing environment is unaware of an attempted update to the first database.

Abstract: A computing device includes a processing module and an interface. The processing module is operable to receive, from a requesting device via the interface, a data storage request that includes data for storage. The processing module then determines whether substantially identical data is currently stored in a dispersed storage network (DSN) memory. When the substantially identical data is stored in the DSN memory, the processing module generates, for the requesting device, a second unique retrieval matrix of a plurality of sets of encoded data slices corresponding to the already stored substantially identical data, wherein the requesting device can recover at least a portion of the data based on the second unique retrieval matrix of the plurality of sets of encoded data slices.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for recovering data following a directory service malfunction, such as a forest-wide disaster in Microsoft® Active Directory. In certain examples, a single management console can be used for remotely recovering selected domain controllers in the forest without necessitating direct operator intervention. Multiple domain controllers can be concurrently restored from one or more backup files. Configurations of the system can advantageously eliminate manual intervention with each domain controller, thereby saving significant amounts of recovery time and effort. Also, certain systems and methods can be used to automatically and remotely quarantine corrupt domain controllers so that those individual domain controllers do not replicate with the newly restored environment, while allowing the domain controllers to remain online and in communication with the attached network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically managing non-volatile memory items in a wireless device, the method comprising the steps of: checking the non-volatile memory items for a unique identifier item; if the unique identifier item exists, comparing an identifier stored within the unique identifier item with a software identifier located in software on the wireless device; and if the unique identifier item does not exist or if the identifier is different from the software identifier, performing the steps of: updating the non-volatile memory items; and writing the software identifier to the unique identifier item. The method may further include a rollback scheme for previous software versions.

Abstract: A system and method for providing scaleable recovery for a multiplexed transactional log. Unlike a dedicated log that includes log data of only one client, a multiplexed transactional log may include log data from multiple clients. In a multiplexed transactional log, log data from different clients may be multiplexed into the multiplexed transactional log in any order. The multiplexed log is maintained for multiple clients using a scaleable logging process. After a system failure, the multiplexed log is recovered using a scaleable recovery process. The scaleable recovery process includes an end-of-log locating process for locating the end of the multiplexed log and each of the virtual logs with the multiplexed log. The end-of-log locating process is also scaleable.

Abstract: Calendar repair using a standard message may be provided. Calendar events, such as appointments and meetings, may be created and copied to a plurality of attendee calendars. A first copy of the event may be compared to a second copy of the event to determine whether properties between the events are out-of-sync. If so, a standard meeting request message comprising the correct value may be sent to update the out-of-sync property.

Abstract: Aspects of a data environment, such as the cloning, hibernation, and recovery of databases, are managed using a separate control environment. A monitoring component of the control environment can periodically communicate with the data environment to determine any necessary actions to be performed, such as to recover from faults or events for a data instance in the data environment. A workflow can be instantiated that includes tasks necessary to perform actions such as recovery, hibernation, resumption from hibernation, or backup or cloning. Tasks of the workflow can cause certain jobs to be performed by host managers in the data environment to effect calls made to the control environment.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing high availability to instance-bound databases may include (1) identifying a first instance of a database server, the first instance hosting a plurality of databases, (2) identifying a second instance of the database server, (3) identifying at least one user database within the plurality of databases to fail over, and (4) migrating the user database to the second instance without migrating every database in the plurality of databases to the second instance. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reliably updating a data group in a read-before-write data replication environment. The method reliably updates the data group by receiving an updated data group sent from a first storage medium to a second storage medium, comparing the updated data group with a previous data group previously existing on the second storage medium and writing the updated data group to the second storage medium. The read-before-write and differencing method disclosed maintain reliability by storing multiple copies of changes made to the second storage medium during and after the write process.

Abstract: A computing device includes a processing module and an interface. The processing module is operable to receive, from a requesting device via the interface, a data storage request that includes data for storage. The processing module then determines whether substantially identical data is currently stored in a dispersed storage network (DSN) memory. When the substantially identical data is stored in the DSN memory, the processing module generates, for the requesting device, a second unique retrieval matrix of a plurality of sets of encoded data slices corresponding to the already stored substantially identical data, wherein the requesting device can recover at least a portion of the data based on the second unique retrieval matrix of the plurality of sets of encoded data slices.

Abstract: Described herein are apparatus, system, and method for providing memory access control to protect software (e.g., firmware backup) and other data. The method comprises providing, by a processor, a protected storage area in a memory for storing backup image of software; detecting corruption in the software; accessing the backup image of the software from the protected storage area; and updating the corrupted software using the backup image, wherein the protected storage area is a reserved storage area of the memory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing single instance restoration of data files is provided. In one embodiment, a method for using a signature database to provide a single instance data restoration solution includes processing a restore request for a data file, wherein the data file is associated with a signature and examining a signature database using the signature to identify at least one locally available data file having at least one signature that matches the signature associated with the data file.

Abstract: Metadata-driven undo is described. In an embodiment, a metadata repository stores metadata that is associated with operations. Attributes associated with each operation are also stored in the metadata. Each operation is associated with an undolet that includes instructions for generating undo entries for operations of a particular operation type. Undo log entries are generated using the metadata and the undolet when a request is intercepted that includes an undoable operation. When an undo command is issued, the instructions in the undo log that are associated with a particular business transaction are executed to “rewind” the transaction.

Abstract: A cluster network environment may comprise a plurality of nodes configured to perform various tasks, such as data I/O, storage, backup, etc. It may be advantageous to improve disaster recovery and reliability by creating backups that may be used to restore the cluster network environment and/or nodes therein. Accordingly, one or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for restoring a cluster network environment and/or nodes therein. In particular, cluster configuration data, which may be stored in a healthy node or at a remote source, may be used to restore a node affected by an integrity loss. If the integrity loss affects the cluster network environment (e.g., a majority of healthy nodes are lost), then a new cluster network environment may be created from a healthy node or a restored healthy node. The creation of the new cluster network environment may be based at least in part on cluster configuration data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing digital assets in a distributed computing environment are described. Meta-data for the digital assets is stored separately from the digital assets. Meta-data for some of the digital assets is copied and stored at a central location. Meta-data for the digital assets is generated by clients of the system.

Abstract: An image outputting apparatus obtains attribute information about image data prior to acquisition of the image data stored in an external apparatus. The image outputting apparatus accepts an output request of the image data by using the attribute information while obtaining the image data. The image outputting apparatus holds the output request in accordance with the acceptance of the output request before completion of acquisition of the image data and allows the outputting the image data in response to the output request after acquisition of the image data has been completed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovery a cluster database is provided. Database recovery is divided among a plurality of surviving database server instances in the cluster. A surviving instance is responsible for recovering data blocks to which the surviving instance is assigned. One form of block-to-instance assignment may be based on mastership of the blocks. If a data block is locked by a surviving instance at the time of failure, then no recovery of that data block may be necessary. Else, if a copy of a data block that is to be recovered is stored on a surviving node in the cluster, then one or more redo records are applied to that copy (if necessary). A redo record that corresponds to that data block might not need to be applied to the copy if the redo record reflects changes (to the data block) that are already reflected in the copy.

Abstract: This invention involves tracking and backing all the information that a user generates on its computer devices (including embedded devices) in real time. The local user server records all user actions and gestures (via various means that include TV cameras). All of this information (user actions and saved files in a computer) is then sent to a remote server via the Internet. This remote server has a virtual map of all the embedded devices on a computer that the person uses. The remote server immediately starts to interpret the user's actions (including user gestures). In one implementation, the invention stores user actions that are related to data generation (e.g. actions that called some links where data is stored, or executed some programs that generated data). In another variant the remote server generates and downloads the same files that are downloaded on the local user computer devices.

Abstract: Aspects of a data environment, such as the monitoring, backup, and recovery of data stores and instances, are managed using a separate control environment. A monitoring component of the control environment can periodically communicate with the data environment to determine any necessary actions to be performed, such as to recover from faults or events for a data instance in the data environment. A workflow can be instantiated that includes tasks necessary to perform a recovery action. Tasks of the workflow can instantiate a new data instance and, using an identifier for the original data instance, access a snapshot for the data instance and copy the data to the new instance. Log files also can be accessed and applied to the new data instance to cause the new instance to represent the state of the original data instance at a particular point in time.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-readable medium for synchronizing databases between two disparate computer systems are presented. In one embodiment, the method includes updating a first database, which is part of a first computer system, with a database update, wherein updating the first database does not initially commit the database update to the first computer system; calling a remote function to incorporate the database update into a second database that is part of a second computer system; in response to the remote function determining that the second database has been successfully updated with the database update, committing the database update to the first computer system; and in response to the remote function determining that the second database has not been successfully updated with the database update, rolling back the database update such that the first computer system is unaware of the attempted updating of the first database.

Abstract: A computing environment logbook logs events occurring within a computing environment. The events are displayed as a history of past events within the logbook of the computing environment. The logbook provides search functionality to search through the history of past events to find one or more selected past events, and further, enables an undo of the one or more selected past events.

Abstract: Techniques for recovery of application level objects are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for restoration of one or more application level objects. The method may comprise obtaining application metadata of an application containing objects to be restored, storing one or more data files containing application data, utilizing the application metadata to provide a user interface for the restoration of one or more application objects, accepting input from a user via the user interface specifying one or more application objects to restore, and restoring the one or more specified application objects.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for recovering data following a directory service malfunction, such as a forest-wide disaster in Microsoft® Active Directory. In certain examples, a single management console can be used for remotely recovering selected domain controllers in the forest without necessitating direct operator intervention. Multiple domain controllers can be concurrently restored from one or more backup files. Configurations of the system can advantageously eliminate manual intervention with each domain controller, thereby saving significant amounts of recovery time and effort. Also, certain systems and methods can be used to automatically and remotely quarantine corrupt domain controllers so that those individual domain controllers do not replicate with the newly restored environment, while allowing the domain controllers to remain online and in communication with the attached network.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide techniques for performing system reset and/or system restore operations. Some embodiments store a record of any changes performed to a data file stored on a virtual hard disk using differencing virtual disks that are captured over time. To restore the file to the state in which it existed at any particular point in time, embodiments of the invention may allow for rolling back the system to a differencing virtual disk captured at or before that time and setting aside blocks of the differencing virtual disk chain captured after that point. To perform a system reset, the system may be rolled back to the parent virtual hard disk, by setting aside all of the blocks of the differencing virtual disk chain. Some embodiments of the invention provide for separating information on the system into a plurality of entities, and maintaining a separate set of differencing virtual disks for each entity.

Abstract: Methods, systems and program storage devices for managing schema changes made by a user to an object in a database. The method including: (a) intercepting a database command entered by said user; (b) if said database command is a schema change command referencing said object in said database and a registry criterion is met, then inserting said database command or a command derived therefrom into a registered storage, otherwise releasing said database command to said database for execution thereby; (c) releasing said database command or a command derived therefrom from said registered storage to said database for execution thereby when a release criterion is met thus giving rise to a released command; and (d) inserting said released command or a command derived therefrom into a history storage.

Abstract: The various methods and devices described herein relate to devices which, in at least certain embodiments, may include a method of decoding data or a data stream in a file, which may include checking for a first data portion of a plurality of data portions in the file, the first data portion having a first data value, reading in data from another data portion of the plurality of data portions, decoding or decompressing the data, performing a checksum operation on the decoded data if the first data portion having the first data value is not detected, and skipping a checksum operation on the decoded data if the first data portion having the first data value is detected. In the embodiment, a checksum operation on encoded data may also be skipped. In an embodiment, the first data value may include information or instructions about how a decoder may decode the data and may also include a tag or identifier.