Patent ID: 8620870

Claim:
A method performed by a computing device, wherein the computing device is configured to be connectable to a server computer via a network, and wherein the computing device is coupled to at least one primary data storage device, the method comprising: executing a limited-feature data management software module, wherein the limited-feature data management software module is configured to perform at least one data management operation for the computing device; generating data or metadata based at least in part on the execution of the limited-feature data management software module; storing generated data or metadata in the primary storage; discovering and docking the computing device with a full-featured data management system, wherein the computing device performs the docking when coupled to the network, and wherein the full-featured data management system is accessible via the server computer; receiving configuration settings and commands from the full-featured data management system; performing at least one storage operation, wherein the at least one storage operation includesâ€”analyzing or integrating generated metadata or data, creating copies of generated metadata or data, or restoring data; receiving from the full-featured data management system, additional data management features or functionalities related to the metadata or data, wherein the additional data management features or functionalities include additional data management features or functionalities not available from the limited-feature data management software module; and relinquishing the additional data management features or functionalities when disconnected from the network or undocked from the full-featured data management system.