Patent ID: 8799245
Filing Date: 2014-08-05
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for automatic, tiered data retention in a networked data storage system, comprising: copying primary data comprising a plurality of files generated by one or more client computers from primary storage to secondary storage; accessing from computer storage a data retention policy including classification criteria associated with each of a plurality of buckets in the secondary storage having corresponding retention periods associated therewith, wherein individual files in the plurality of files belong to a particular bucket of the plurality of buckets if the individual files meet the classification criteria associated with the particular bucket; using computer hardware of one or more computers, automatically accessing the plurality of files and processing, based on the data retention policy, the plurality of files to identify at least a first file of the plurality of files in the secondary storage to determine that the first file belongs to a first bucket of the plurality of buckets that is associated with a first retention period; using computer hardware of one or more computers, automatically processing, based on the data retention policy, the first file of the plurality of files to determine that the first file also belongs to a second bucket of the plurality of buckets that is associated with a second retention period that is longer than the first retention period; associating a first instance of the first file with the first bucket; and associating a second instance of the first file with the second bucket, wherein the first instance of the first file associated with the first bucket is scheduled for deletion according to the data retention policy after the first instance has been retained for at least a duration of the first retention period, and wherein the second instance of the first file associated with the second bucket is scheduled for deletion according to the data retention policy after the second instance has been retained for at least a duration of the second retention period.