Systems and Methods for Facilitating Storage Operations Using Network Attached Storage Devices

Abstract

A system and method for communicating, browsing, verifying and routing data in storage operation systems using network attached storage devices is provided. In some embodiments, the system may include a management module and a media management component connected to the management server, which interoperate with network attached storage devices to provide the communicating, browsing, verifying and routing functions.

1 . A method for protecting data in a storage system, the storage system comprising a management server, a media management component connected to the management server, at least one network attached storage device connected to the media management component, and a data source connected to the management server, the method comprising:
 receiving a request to store source data on the network attached storage device;   receiving the source data;   adding metadata to the source data, the meta data being specific to the storage system; and
 writing the source data and the metadata to the network attached storage device. 
   
     
     
         2 . A method for protecting data in a storage system, the storage system comprising a management server, a media management component connected to the management server, a plurality of storage media connected to the media management component, and a data source connected to the media management component, the method comprising:
 receiving a request to perform a storage operation for source data stored on the data source;   determining a first data path for the source data from the data source to the network attached storage device;   monitoring a load of the data path; and   determining a second data path for the source data from the data source to the network attached storage device the second data path being distinct from the first data path.   
     
     
         3 . A method for verifying data stored in a storage system, the storage system comprising a management server, a media management component connected to the management server, at least one network attached storage device connected to the media management component, and a data source connected to the management server, the method comprising:
 sending a request to restore stored data, the stored data being stored on a network attached storage device and including first metadata;   receiving the stored data;   comparing the first metadata with second metadata stored in the storage system;   verifying the stored data based on the comparing; and writing the stored data to a data destination, the data destination excluding a storage medium.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the writing is performed by a file server. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the media management component generates the metadata. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein respective metadata is added for each chunk of source data. 
     
     
         7 . A system for protecting data, the system comprising:
 a management server;   a media management component connected to the management server;   a data source connected to the management server, the data source including source data; and   at least one network attached storage device connected to the media management component, the network attached storage including the source data and metadata specific to the storage system.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the media management component writes the source data and metadata to the network attached storage device. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the media management component generates the metadata. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein metadata is added by the media management component for each chunk of source data. 
     
     
         11 . A method for reconstructing an index in a storage system, the storage system comprising a management server, a media management component connected to the management server, the media management component including the index, at least one network attached storage device connected to the media management component, and a data source connected to the management server, the method comprising:
 receiving a request to restore source data stored on a network attached storage device;   reading the source data from the network attached storage device;   reading meta data stored with the source data on the network attached storage device; and   reconstructing the index using the metadata.   
     
     
         12 . A method for browsing data on a network attached storage device, the method comprising:
 generating a request to browse information stored on a network attached storage device;   creating and displaying a list of networks including network attached storage devices;   selecting one or more networks of interest;   selecting one or more network attached storage devices in the selected network; and   retrieving data from the selected network attached storage devices.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising generating a list of files under management for the selected network attached storage devices. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising allowing a user to select files from the list of files under management. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising allowing a user to browse the selected files. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising allowing a user to request and receive more information regarding the browsed files. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the allowing further comprises fully or partially restoring the browsed files. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising providing the option of refreshing system components with the restored files. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the system components comprise a storage manager database, a storage manager index or a media management index. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising allowing a user to optionally copy the restored files to another network location or portable storage media.