NetApp, Inc.
Managing storage space based on multiple dataset backup versions

Abstract:

A storage tier manager creates different versions of a dataset backup for different retention periods. Each of the versions is distinctly identifiable despite initially representing a same dataset backup. One version can be referred to as a cached version of the dataset backup and another version can be referred to as a cloud version of the dataset backup. When the retention period expires for the cached version of the dataset backup, the storage tier manager migrates the cloud version of the dataset backup from the caching storage tier to the cloud storage tier. The storage tier manager can then recover storage space occupied by data that has been migrated, as long as that data is not shared with other cached versions of other dataset backups due to deduplication.