| 摘要 |
A data management system that protects data into a continuous object store includes a management interface having a time control. The time control allows an administrator to specify a "past" time, such as a single point or range. When the time control is set to a single point, a hierarchical display of data appears on a display exactly as the data existed in the system at that moment in the past. Preferably, the visualization includes both the structure of the hierarchy (e.g., the identity of the directories, their files, databases, and the like) and also the contents of the data objects themselves (i.e., what was in the files and databases). The time control enables the management interface to operate within a history mode in which the display provides a visual representation of a "virtual" point in time in the past during which the data management system has been operative to provide the data protection service. In addition, the management interface can be toggled to operate in a real-time mode, which provides an active view of the system data as it changes in real-time, typically driven by changes to primary storage. This real-time mode provides the user with the ability to view changes that occur to a set of data currently visible on the display screen. The interface also allows an administrator to specify and manage policy including, without limitation, how long data is retained in the management system. A policy engine enables the user to assert "temporal-based" policy over data objects. |
