MODULAR BACKUP AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH A STORAGE AREA NETWORK
First Claim
1. A modular network storage system comprising:
- a plurality of client components, each configured to control storage operations for at least one of a plurality of computing devices;
a storage area network (SAN) comprising a plurality of backup devices configured to provide block access to data stored thereon to the plurality of computing devices;
a file processor for directing functions associated with the archival of data over the SAN, wherein the file processor is configured to provide a file system view of data stored on the plurality of backup devices to the plurality of computing devices;
at least one media component communicatively coupled to one or more of the plurality of backup devices and the file processor, wherein the at least one media component is configured to control physical level archival functions of data between at least one of the plurality of client components and at least one of the plurality of backup devices in accordance with direction from the file processor; and
a management component communicatively coupled to the plurality of computing devices and to the file processor, the management component being configured to initiate an archival type request through at least one of the plurality of client components based on one or more storage parameters,and wherein the file processor, in response to the archival type request, provides the direction to the at least one media component for directing the archival functions in accordance with the archival type request and wherein the at least one media component is configured to maintain an index of data stored on the plurality of backup devices.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A modular computer storage system and method is provided for managing and directing data archiving functions, which is scalable and comprehends various storage media as well as diverse operating systems on a plurality of client devices. A client component is associated with one or more client devices for generating archival request. A file processor directs one or more storage devices, through one or more media components, which control the actual physical level backup on various storage devices. Each media component creates a library indexing system for locating stored data. A management component coordinates the archival functions between the various client components and the file processor, including setting scheduling policies, aging policies, index pruning policies, drive cleaning policies, configuration information, and keeping track of running and waiting jobs.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A modular network storage system comprising:
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a plurality of client components, each configured to control storage operations for at least one of a plurality of computing devices; a storage area network (SAN) comprising a plurality of backup devices configured to provide block access to data stored thereon to the plurality of computing devices; a file processor for directing functions associated with the archival of data over the SAN, wherein the file processor is configured to provide a file system view of data stored on the plurality of backup devices to the plurality of computing devices; at least one media component communicatively coupled to one or more of the plurality of backup devices and the file processor, wherein the at least one media component is configured to control physical level archival functions of data between at least one of the plurality of client components and at least one of the plurality of backup devices in accordance with direction from the file processor; and a management component communicatively coupled to the plurality of computing devices and to the file processor, the management component being configured to initiate an archival type request through at least one of the plurality of client components based on one or more storage parameters, and wherein the file processor, in response to the archival type request, provides the direction to the at least one media component for directing the archival functions in accordance with the archival type request and wherein the at least one media component is configured to maintain an index of data stored on the plurality of backup devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A modular network storage system comprising:
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a file processor configured to direct functions associated with storage and retrieval operations performed via a storage area network (SAN) comprising a plurality of storage devices, the file processor configured to provide a single file system view of data stored on the plurality of storage devices to a plurality of client computing devices, the file processor further comprising; a client component configured to receive a first storage operation request of a plurality of storage operation requests and to identify, based on the first storage operation request, the particular data to be associated with one or more of the storage and retrieval operations, and a media component configured to perform physical storage of the particular data based on directions received from the client component, the media component being further configured to maintain an index of the data stored on the plurality of storage devices; and a management component communicatively coupled to the plurality of client computing devices and to the file processor independently of the SAN, the management component being configured to initiate each of the plurality of storage operation requests via at least one of (i) the client component and (ii) the SAN through at least one of the plurality of client computing devices, the plurality of storage operation requests being initiated by the management component based on one or more storage parameters. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification