Patent ID: 7979650

Claim:
A method for enhancing computer data backups, the method comprising: storing identifications and corresponding functionalities other than those for establishing communication for a plurality of backup storage devices in a database; receiving a selection of a backup storage device that is in data communication with a backup source computer; determining an identification of the selected backup storage device; determining if an entry for the selected backup storage device is contained in the database; if an entry for the selected backup storage device is stored in the database, performing a data backup of the backup source computer to the selected backup storage device; wherein the performing uses at least one of the functionalities stored in the database for the selected backup storage device; if an entry for the selected backup storage device is not stored in the database: asking the selected backup storage device a plurality of questions to define a plurality of functionalities of the selected backup storage device; matching the selected backup storage device to an entry in the database, the matching resulting in an identification of a matched backup storage device; wherein the matching is based on the selected backup storage device and the matched backup storage device in the database having at least one functionality in common with one another; wherein matching the selected backup storage device to the matched backup storage device in the database uses a predefined threshold of functionalities; and enhancing a data backup of the backup source computer to the selected backup storage device; wherein the enhancing step uses at least one of the functionalities stored in the database for the matched backup storage device in the database.