In some embodiments, a method for detecting a shared data element comprises providing a first feature of a first data element associated with a first storage device; detecting a second feature of a second data element associated with a second storage device, wherein the second feature is the same as the first feature; challenging the second storage device; receiving a response to the challenge; and determining whether the response is acceptable.
1. A method for detecting a shared data element, comprising:
providing a first feature of a first data element associated with a first storage device;
detecting a second feature of a second data element associated with a second storage device,
wherein the second feature is the same as the first feature;
providing a challenge to a remote device associated with the second storage device;
receiving a response to the challenge;
calculating a correct response, wherein calculating the correct response includes calculating a hash;
determining whether the response is acceptable, wherein determining whether the response is acceptable includes determining whether the response is compatible with the correct response; and
generating a reference to the first data element when it is determined that the response is acceptable.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting the second feature includes receiving the second feature.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing the first feature includes calculating the first feature.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first data element is associated with a file.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first data element is associated with a data block.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first feature includes a cryptographic hash.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the cryptographic hash is an MD5 hash.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the cryptographic hash is a SHA1 hash.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the challenge includes a cryptographic hash.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the cryptographic hash is an MD5 hash.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the cryptographic hash is a SHA1 hash.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the challenge includes a key.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hash is a cryptographic hash.
14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising including the reference in a backup image.
15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sending the reference to the second storage device.
16. A system for detecting a shared data element, comprising:
a processor configured to:
provide a first feature of a first data element associated with a first storage device;
detect a second feature of a second data element associated with a second storage device,
wherein the second feature is the same as the first feature;
provide a challenge to a remote device associated with the second storage device;
receive a response to the challenge;
calculate a correct response, wherein calculating the correct response includes calculating a hash;
determine whether the response is acceptable, wherein determining whether the response is acceptable includes determining whether the response is compatible with the correct response; and
generate a reference to the first data element when it is determined that the response is acceptable; and
a memory coupled with the processor, wherein the memory provides instructions to the processor.
17. A computer program product for detecting a shared data element, the computer program product being embodied in a computer readable storage medium and comprising computer instructions for:
providing a first feature of a first data element associated with a first storage device;
detecting a second feature of a second data element associated with a second storage device,
wherein the second feature is the same as the first feature;
providing a challenge to a remote device associated with the second storage device;
receiving a response to the challenge;
calculating a correct response, wherein calculating the correct response includes calculating a hash;
determining whether the response is acceptable, wherein determining whether the response is acceptable includes determining whether the response is compatible with the correct response; and
generating a reference to the first data element when it is determined that the response is acceptable.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing the first feature includes receiving the first feature.
19. The system of claim 16 , wherein detecting the second feature includes receiving the second feature.
20. The system of claim 16 , wherein providing the first feature includes calculating the first feature.
21. The system of claim 16 , wherein the first data element is associated with a file.
22. The system of claim 16 , wherein the first data element is associated with a data block.
23. The system of claim 16 , wherein the first feature includes a cryptographic hash.
24. The system of claim 16 , wherein the challenge includes a cryptographic hash.
25. The system of claim 24 , wherein the challenge includes a key.
26. The system of claim 16 , wherein the processor is further configured to include the reference in a backup image.
27. The system of claim 16 , wherein providing the first feature includes receiving the first feature.
28. The computer program product of claim 17 , wherein detecting the second feature includes receiving the second feature.
29. The computer program product of claim 17 , wherein providing the first feature includes calculating the first feature.
30. The computer program product of claim 17 , wherein the first data element is associated with a file.
31. The computer program product of claim 17 , wherein the first data element is associated with a data block.
32. The computer program product of claim 17 , wherein the first feature includes a cryptographic hash.
33. The computer program product of claim 17 , wherein the challenge includes a cryptographic hash.
34. The computer program product of claim 33 , wherein the challenge includes a key.
35. The computer program product of claim 17 , further comprising computer instructions for including the reference in a backup image.
36. The computer program product of claim 17 , wherein providing the first feature includes receiving the first feature.