Patent ID: 7555620

Claim:
A computerized method comprising: maintaining a backup image of a dataset, the backup image being stored as a plurality of data blocks, wherein the backup image has a first format specified by a set of first metadata and wherein the first format is accessible by an application; analyzing the set of first metadata using predetermined criteria; generating, based on results of the analyzing the set of first metadata, a set of second metadata, wherein the backup image has a second format specified by the set of second metadata and wherein the second format is accessible by at least one application unable to access the first format and wherein the backup image is accessible in the first format using the first metadata and wherein the backup image is also accessible in the second format using the second metadata; creating, in response to a request to access, using the set of second metadata, a part of the backup image, a clone of the part of the backup image, wherein the clone comprises some of the plurality of data blocks for the backup image of the dataset; and in response to a request to perform an operation on a target data block shared by the clone and the backup image, copying contents of the target data block to a new data block and performing the operation on the new data block, wherein the target data block remains unchanged.