Data sharing

• US 7,596,570 B1
• Filed: 11/04/2004
• Issued: 09/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: K.Mizra LLC
• Original Assignee: Radix Holdings, LLC
• Inventors: Emigh, Aaron T., Roskind, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wassum, Luke S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Arjomandi, Noosha
• Application Number:
  US10/982,714
• Time in Patent Office: 1,790 Days
• Field of Search: 707/102, 707/1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1453 using de-duplication of the data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1458 Management of the backup or restore process
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1464 for networked environments
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1469 Backup restoration techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2094 Redundant storage or storage space G06F11/2056 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/284 Relational databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6218 to a system of files or objects, e.g. local or distributed file system or database
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2201/84 Using snapshots, i.e. a logical point-in-time copy of the data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2103 Challenge-response
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

In some embodiments, a method for detecting a shared data element comprises providing a first feature of a first data element associated with a first storage device; detecting a second feature of a second data element associated with a second storage device, wherein the second feature is the same as the first feature; challenging the second storage device; receiving a response to the challenge; and determining whether the response is acceptable.

Claims

1. A method for detecting a shared data element, comprising:

providing a first feature of a first data element associated with a first storage device;

detecting a second feature of a second data element associated with a second storage device,

wherein the second feature is the same as the first feature;

providing a challenge to a remote device associated with the second storage device;

receiving a response to the challenge;

calculating a correct response, wherein calculating the correct response includes calculating a hash;

determining whether the response is acceptable, wherein determining whether the response is acceptable includes determining whether the response is compatible with the correct response; and

generating a reference to the first data element when it is determined that the response is acceptable.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the second feature includes receiving the second feature.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the first feature includes calculating the first feature.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first data element is associated with a file.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first data element is associated with a data block.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first feature includes a cryptographic hash.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the cryptographic hash is an MD5 hash.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the cryptographic hash is a SHA1 hash.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the challenge includes a cryptographic hash.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the cryptographic hash is an MD5 hash.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the cryptographic hash is a SHA1 hash.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the challenge includes a key.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the hash is a cryptographic hash.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising including the reference in a backup image.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending the reference to the second storage device.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the first feature includes receiving the first feature.

16. A system for detecting a shared data element, comprising:

a processor configured to;

provide a first feature of a first data element associated with a first storage device;

detect a second feature of a second data element associated with a second storage device,

wherein the second feature is the same as the first feature;

provide a challenge to a remote device associated with the second storage device;

receive a response to the challenge;

calculate a correct response, wherein calculating the correct response includes calculating a hash;

determine whether the response is acceptable, wherein determining whether the response is acceptable includes determining whether the response is compatible with the correct response; and

generate a reference to the first data element when it is determined that the response is acceptable; and

a memory coupled with the processor, wherein the memory provides instructions to the processor.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein detecting the second feature includes receiving the second feature.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein providing the first feature includes calculating the first feature.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein the first data element is associated with a file.

22. The system of claim 16, wherein the first data element is associated with a data block.

23. The system of claim 16, wherein the first feature includes a cryptographic hash.

24. The system of claim 16, wherein the challenge includes a cryptographic hash.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the challenge includes a key.

26. The system of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to include the reference in a backup image.

27. The system of claim 16, wherein providing the first feature includes receiving the first feature.

17. A computer program product for detecting a shared data element, the computer program product being embodied in a computer readable storage medium and comprising computer instructions for:

providing a first feature of a first data element associated with a first storage device;

detecting a second feature of a second data element associated with a second storage device,

wherein the second feature is the same as the first feature;

providing a challenge to a remote device associated with the second storage device;

receiving a response to the challenge;

calculating a correct response, wherein calculating the correct response includes calculating a hash;

determining whether the response is acceptable, wherein determining whether the response is acceptable includes determining whether the response is compatible with the correct response; and

generating a reference to the first data element when it is determined that the response is acceptable.

28. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein detecting the second feature includes receiving the second feature.

29. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein providing the first feature includes calculating the first feature.

30. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the first data element is associated with a file.

31. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the first data element is associated with a data block.

32. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the first feature includes a cryptographic hash.

33. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the challenge includes a cryptographic hash.

34. The computer program product of claim 33, wherein the challenge includes a key.

35. The computer program product of claim 17, further comprising computer instructions for including the reference in a backup image.

36. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein providing the first feature includes receiving the first feature.