Patent ID: 7917473

Claim:
A system for performing data storage operations that transfer data from a source to a destination, the system comprising: a server connected in a hierarchy to two or more storage cells actively transferring data from the source to the destination, wherein the server comprises a processor, and wherein the first storage cell is connected to and is subordinate to the server and wherein the second storage cell is connected to and is subordinate to the first storage cell; and wherein each of the two or more storage cells comprises: a secondary storage database configured to store secondary copies of data generated by a data storage operation; a media agent configured to convey data produced at a client computer in order to create a secondary copy of data during a data storage operation; and, a storage manager configured to control the media agent during a data storage operation, wherein the storage manager controls the media agent in accordance with a filter or rule applicable to the storage cell; and wherein the server: generates a report related to performance of data storage operations within the two or more storage cells, wherein the report indicates results of a quantitative comparison of performances between the two or more storage cells; and determines a filter or rule to assign based on the generated report, wherein the filter or rule is assigned to at least one of the two or more storage cells; and, a data transfer modification component, wherein the data transfer modification component modifies the active transfer of data from the source to the destination based in part on the assigned filter or rule.