Symantec Assigned Three Patents

Accessing large storage subsystems with different file format
than format used by running applications
Symantec Corp., Mountain View, CA, has been assigned a patent (8,566,297) developed by two co-inventors for “a system and method for efficiently accessing large storage subsystems with a different file format than a format used by running applications.”

The co-inventors are Gregory R. Dowers, II, Lake Mary, FL, and Kirk L. Searls, Maitland, FL.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: “A system and method for efficiently accessing large data storage subsystems with a different file format than a format used by running applications. A backup server is coupled to a data storage medium, and is configured to store data on the data storage medium according to a first file format. A client is coupled to the backup server and is configured to convey memory access requests for data stored in the data storage medium. The client is unable to decipher the first file format. A filter driver in the backup server is coupled to intercept the requests from the client. The filter driver is configured to decipher the first file format; spoof the existence of one or more spoofed files that do not exist on the data storage medium, wherein each of the one or more spoofed files corresponds to data stored on the data storage medium; and present the spoofed files to the client.”

The patent application was filed on Jan. 14, 2010 (12/687,438).

Policy for storing data objects in multi-tier storage system
Symantec, Mountain View, CA, has been assigned a patent (8,578,096) developed by three co-inventors for “policy for storing data objects in a multi-tier storage system.”

The co-inventors are Raghupathi Malige, San Jose, CA, Meher Shah, Newark, CA, and Gautham Ravi, Mountain View, CA.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: “A sliding window policy is implemented to manage database objects. At a first time, a first portion of a database object is allocated to a first tier of a multi-tier storage system. The first portion corresponds to a first specified percentage of the size of the database object at the first time and is selected according to information associated with the database object. The remaining portion of the database object at the first time is allocated to one or more other tiers. At a second (later) time, a second portion of the database object is allocated to the first tier. The second portion corresponds to a second specified percentage of the size of the database object at the second time and is also selected according to information associated with the database object. The remaining portion of the database object at the second time is allocated to the other tier(s).”

The patent application was filed on April 8, 2011 (13/082,986).

Backing up from plurality of backup servers
Symantec Operating, Mountain View, CA, has been assigned a patent (8,600,940) developed by two co-inventors for “a system and method for backing up data from a plurality of backup server computers in a first backup storage tier to a backup server computer in a second backup storage tier.“

The co-inventors are Joseph Milton Gilpin, Blaine, MN, and Claudia Lynne Rudolph, Medina, MN.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: “Various embodiments of a system and method for backing up data from a plurality of backup server computers in a first backup storage tier to a backup server computer in a second backup storage tier are disclosed. According to one embodiment of the method, a group of backup data sources may be associated with a writer on the backup server computer. Each backup data source may comprise data to be backed up from one of the backup server computer systems in the first backup storage tier. The writer may keep track of the write speed at which data from the group of backup data sources is written to a target storage device, and the number of backup data sources in the group may be automatically adjusted based on the write speed.”

The patent application was filed on Dec. 21, 2007 (11/962,736).