SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CLASSIFYING AND TRANSFERRING INFORMATION IN A STORAGE NETWORK

• US 20070198611A1
• Filed: 11/28/2006
• Published: 08/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommVault Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: CommVault Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Brockway, Brian, Ngo, David, Prahlad, Anand, Muller, Marcus, Schwartz, Jeremy
• Granted Patent: US 7,734,593 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1435 using file system or storage system metadata
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1451 by selection of backup contents
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1461 Backup scheduling policy
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1464 for networked environments
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1466 to make the backup process non-disruptive
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1471 involving logging of persistent data for recovery
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/11 File system administration, e.g. details of archiving or snapshots file system backup G06F11/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/119 Details of migration of file systems migration mechanisms in storage systems G06F3/0647
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/122 using management policies backup systems G06F11/1446; file migration policies for HSM systems G06F16/185
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/134 Distributed indices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/14 Details of searching files based on file metadata
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/148 File search processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/16 File or folder operations, e.g. details of user interfaces specifically adapted to file systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/1727 Details of free space management performed by the file system saving storage space on storage systems G06F3/0608; management of blocks in storage devices G06F3/064
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/1734 Details of monitoring file system events, e.g. by the use of hooks, filter drivers, logs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/182 Distributed file systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/22 Indexing; Data structures therefor; Storage structures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2228 Indexing structures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/245 Query processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24575 using context
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/285 : Clustering or classification
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2201/80 : Database-specific techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0604 : Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. storage management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0605 : by facilitating the interaction with a user or administrator
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0649 : Lifecycle management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0685 : Hybrid storage combining heterogeneous device types, e.g. hierarchical storage, hybrid arrays
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 : Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 : Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99955 : Archiving or backup

Abstract

Systems and methods for data classification to facilitate and improve data management within an enterprise are described. The disclosed systems and methods evaluate and define data management operations based on data characteristics rather than data location, among other things. Also provided are methods for generating a data structure of metadata that describes system data and storage operations. This data structure may be consulted to determine changes in system data rather than scanning the data files themselves.

Claims

1. A method of classifying data stored within a storage management system based on user input, comprising:

receiving an indication of a data object within the storage management system;

receiving user input providing one or more classifications for the selected data object that categorize the data object within the storage management system, wherein the classifications describe characteristics of the data object and facilitate storage operations on the data object; and

storing the user-provided one or more classifications as metadata associated with the data object, such that the one or more classifications are accessible for performing storage operations based on the classifications.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving an indication comprises displaying a graphical user interface for receiving user input selecting a data object.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving user input comprises displaying a list of available classifications.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving user input comprises providing an interface for the user to create new classifications based on a user'"'"'s purpose for interacting with the selected data object.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more classifications comprise classifications related to the source of the data object.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more classifications comprise classifications related to the purpose of the data object.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more classifications comprise classifications related to intended consumers of the data object.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more classifications comprise classifications related to content of the data object.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more classifications comprise classifications related to a pattern of interaction with the data object.

10. A system for extending metadata related to stored data objects within a storage management system based on user-specified classifications, comprising:

a metadata identifying component configured to identify metadata related to one or more data objects, wherein the data objects are selected by a user and stored within the storage management system;

a data classification component configured to create and receive data classifications from a user for associating with the identified metadata, wherein the classifications associate characteristics with the data objects that are not stored at least in part with the data objects themselves; and

a metadata update component configured to associate classifications received from a user with the data object, wherein the received classifications categorize the metadata within the storage management system.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the metadata update component stores the classifications as tags associated with the metadata.

12. A computer-readable media encoded with instructions for controlling a computer system to locate data objects within a data management system based on user-defined attributes, by a method comprising:

receiving a search query specifying one or more user-defined attributes;

locating metadata within the data management system matching the specified one or more user-defined attributes; and

providing search results based on the located metadata within the data management system,

wherein a user-defined attribute specifies a data classification associated with a data object that classifies the data object within the data management system and facilitates the manner in which a storage operation is to be performed on one or more data objects associated with the metadata.

13. The computer-readable media of claim 12 wherein receiving a search query comprises receiving user-defined attributes identifying a project associated with at least one data object.

14. The computer-readable media of claim 12 wherein receiving a search query comprises receiving user-defined attributes identifying a user responsible for at least one data object.

15. The computer-readable media of claim 12 wherein receiving a search query comprises receiving user-defined attributes identifying a group with access to at least one data object.

16. The computer-readable media of claim 12 wherein receiving a search query comprises receiving user-defined attributes identifying a purpose associated with at least one data object.

17. The computer-readable media of claim 12 wherein receiving a search query comprises receiving user-defined attributes identifying a pattern of interaction with at least one data object.

18. The computer-readable media of claim 12 wherein receiving a search query comprises receiving user-defined attributes identifying access control information associated with at least one data object.

19. The computer-readable media of claim 12 wherein receiving a search query comprises receiving user-defined attributes identifying an event associated with at least one data object.

20. The computer-readable media of claim 12 wherein receiving a search query comprises receiving user-defined attributes identifying keywords associated with at least one data object.