Distributed file system in a distributed deduplication data storage system

A computer-implemented method for automatically configuring installed data storage computers, the computer-implemented method comprising:

• detecting a presence of a first data storage computer and a second data storage computer, wherein the first data storage computer is configured to generate secondary copies of first primary data, wherein the second data storage computer is configured to generate secondary copies of second primary data, wherein a first secondary storage device is managed by the first data storage computer, wherein the first secondary storage device comprises a first hard disk and a second hard disk, wherein a second secondary storage device is managed by the second data storage computer, and wherein the second secondary storage device comprises a third hard disk and a fourth hard disk;
• detecting that a third data storage computer is installed, wherein the third data storage computer is configured to generate secondary copies of third primary data, wherein the third data storage computer is installed after the first data storage computer and the second data storage computer, wherein a third secondary storage device is managed by the third data storage computer, and wherein the third secondary storage devices comprises a fifth hard disk and a sixth hard disk;
• associating the first hard disk, the third hard disk, and the fifth hard disk such that the first hard disk, the third hard disk, and the fifth hard disk together store secondary copy data corresponding to a first file system;
• and
• associating the second hard disk, the fourth hard disk, and the sixth hard disk such that the second hard disk, the fourth hard disk, and the sixth hard disk together store secondary copy data corresponding to a second file system,
• wherein the first data storage computer continues to receive input/output (I/O) requests for the second hard disk after a failure of the first hard disk.

A networked information management system configured to automatically configure installed data storage computers, the networked information management system comprising:

• a first secondary storage device managed by a first data storage computer configured to generate first secondary copies, wherein the first secondary storage device comprises a first hard disk and a second hard disk;
• a second secondary storage device managed by a second data storage computer configured to generate second secondary copies, wherein the second secondary storage device comprises a third hard disk and a fourth hard disk;
• a third secondary storage device managed by a third data storage computer configured to generate third secondary copies, wherein the third secondary storage devices comprises a fifth hard disk and a sixth hard disk;
• and
• a storage manager comprising computer hardware configured to:
• detect that the third data storage computer is installed in the networked information management system,
• associate the first hard disk, the third hard disk, and the fifth hard disk such that the first hard disk, the third hard disk, and the fifth hard disk together store secondary copy data corresponding to a first file system, and
• associate the second hard disk, the fourth hard disk, and the sixth hard disk such that the second hard disk, the fourth hard disk, and the sixth hard disk together store secondary copy data corresponding to a second file system,
• wherein the first data storage computer continues to receive input/output (I/O) requests for the second hard disk after a failure of the first hard disk.