Patent ID: 8095756

Claim:
A computer implemented method for coordinating deduplication operations and backup operations of a storage volume, the method comprising: identifying, by a processor, a request to eliminate duplicate data from a storage volume, wherein a plurality of backup operations are scheduled to be performed on the storage volume; determining, by the processor, a duration of time required to complete an operation to eliminate duplicate data from the storage volume, the duration of time being based on an amount of data modified on the storage volume since a last operation to eliminate duplicate data from storage volume; determining, by the processor, a start time for the operation to eliminate duplicate data based on the duration of time required to complete the operation and a start time of a next scheduled backup operation, such that the operation will complete prior to the start time of the next scheduled backup of the storage volume; and initiating, by the processor, the operation to eliminate duplicate data at the determining start time, such that the operation will complete prior to the start time of the next scheduled backup of the storage volume.