REPRESENTING MEDIA AS FOLDERS IN BACKUP SYSTEMS

摘要

Embodiments are directed to a network backup system (NBS) that supports numerous backup policies or schemes for controlling backup jobs and corresponding copy jobs in accordance with media object associations. The media object associations include logical associations between media (represented by media folders) and media objects (representing related media in a backup process). The NBS forms the logical associations as a result of placing the media objects in the media folders during backup processes. Through the use of these media objects the NBS automatically controls the retention and reuse of backup files/data of virtual and/or physical media according to information of the media object associations. The NBS uses the media object associations to provide a network backup policy that integrates optimum retention of backup data with efficient use/reuse of backup media. In addition, the NBS optimizes the retention and reuse of virtual media and the disk storage used to store their content.