Method and system of storing data files

1. A method for storing data files, the method being implemented by a computer system that includes one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules, the method comprising:

receiving, by the one or more processors, from a client computer in communication with the computer system, a first data file and a first data file virtualization policy;

associating, by the one or more processors, the first data file with the first data file virtualization policy;

storing, by the one or more processors, the first data file and the first data file virtualization policy on a storage device in communication with the computer system;

deriving, by the one or more processors, one or more second virtual data files using information from the first data file and the first data file virtualization policy, the one or more second virtual data files not being stored on the storage device;

generating, by the one or more processors, a directory listing including a listing of the one or more second virtual data files and providing the directory listing to the client computer in communication with the computer system; and

generating, by the one or more processors, derived data corresponding to the one or more second virtual data files listed on the directory listing on-demand upon request by the client computer.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising generating, by the one or more processors, a directory listing including a listing of the first data file and the listing of the one or more second virtual data files.

3. The method according to claim 2 , further comprising receiving, by the one or more processors, a request from the client computer system in communication with the computer system, for the directory listing.

4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein receiving the request comprises receiving, by the one or more processors, a PROPFIND request through a HTTP protocol.

5. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising receiving, by the one or more processors, a request for policy capability of the computer system for a data type.

6. The method according to claim 5 , further comprising sending, by the one or more processors, a response to the request including a list of derived data types that are supported by the computer system.

7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein sending comprises providing for each derived data type a list of parameters used to control a derived data file containing the derived data types.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the receiving comprises receiving, by the one or more processors, a plurality of first data files and a plurality of first data file virtualization policies; and associating, by the one or more processors, each first data file in the plurality of first data files with a corresponding first data file virtualization policy in the plurality of first data file virtualization policies.

9. The method according claim 1 , further comprising receiving by the one or more processors, a request from the client system in communication with the computer system, for the listing of the one or more second virtual data files.

10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein receiving the request comprises receiving a HEAD request through HTTP protocol.

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the generating of the derived data corresponding to the one or more second virtual data files comprises generating, dynamically and on-demand, by the one or more processors, at least a portion of data of the one or more second virtual data files based on the first data file and the first data file virtualization policy.

12. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising delivering the at least a portion of the data of the one or more second virtual data files to the client computer system.

13. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising receiving, by the one or more processors, a request from the client computer system in communication with the computer system to retrieve the at least a portion of the data of the one or more second virtual data files.

14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein receiving the request comprises receiving a HTTP GET request.

15. A system for storing data files, comprising:

a computer system configured to:

receive a first data file and a first data file virtualization policy from a client computer in communication with the computer system;

associate the first data file with the first data file virtualization policy;

store the first data file and the first data file virtualization policy on a storage device in communication with the computer system;

derive one or more second virtual data files using information from the first data file and the first data file virtualization policy, the one or more second virtual data files not being stored on the storage device;

generate a directory listing including a listing of the one or more second virtual data files and provide the directory listing to the client computer in communication with the computer system; and

generate derived data corresponding to the one or more second virtual data files listed on the directory listing on-demand upon request by the client computer.

16. The system according to claim 15 , wherein the computer system is further configured to generate a directory listing including a listing of the first data file and the listing of the one or more second virtual data files.

17. The system according to claim 16 , wherein the computer system is further configured to receive a request, from the client computer system in communication with the computer system, for the directory listing.

18. The system according to claim 17 , wherein the request comprises a PROPFIND request in HTTP protocol.

19. The system according to claim 15 , wherein the computer system is configured to receive a request for policy capability of the computer system for a data type.

20. The system according to claim 19 , wherein the computer system is configured to send a response to the request including a list of derived data types that are supported by the computer system.

21. The system according to claim 15 , wherein the computer system is configured to receive a plurality of first data files and a plurality of first data file virtualization policies; and associate each first data file in the plurality of first data files with a corresponding first data file virtualization policy in the plurality of first data file virtualization policies.

22. The system according to claim 15 , wherein the computer system is further configured to receive a request from the client computer system in communication with the computer system, for the listing of the one or more second virtual data files.

23. The system according to claim 22 , wherein the request comprises a HEAD request in HTTP protocol.

24. The system according to claim 15 , wherein the computer system is further configured to generate, dynamically and on-demand, at least a portion of data of the one or more second virtual data files based on the first data file and the first data file virtualization policy.

25. The system according to claim 24 , wherein the computer system is further configured to deliver the at least a portion of the data of the one or more second virtual data files to the client computer system.

26. The system according to claim 24 , wherein the computer system is further configured to receive a request from the client computer system in communication with the computer system to retrieve the at least a portion of the data of the one or more second virtual data files.

27. The system according to claim 26 , wherein the request comprises a HTTP GET request.