Patent ID: 9424437
Filing Date: 2016-08-23
CPC Classification: G06F,H04L

Claim Text:
1. A method for providing access to files via a cloud storage system, said method comprising: accessing client metadata for each of a plurality of private data files stored on at least one off-site client storage system associated with a client; combining said client metadata with attributes to generate cloud metadata for said private data files, at least some of said attributes specifying one or more off-site client storage systems having said private data files stored thereon; storing said cloud metadata but not said plurality of private data files on said cloud storage system; receiving a connection request from a user associated with said client; establishing a connection with said user over a network; providing a unified namespace associated with said client to said user based on said cloud metadata, said unified namespace including information representing said private data files stored only on said at least one client storage system and information representing data files stored on said cloud storage system; receiving input from said user indicative of the selection of one of said private data files represented in said unified namespace; and using said attributes to facilitate access to said selected private data file by said user.