Peer-to-peer data archiving and retrieval system

A system for the archiving and retrieval of data comprising:

• a processor operative to process instructions related to agent module software;
• a storage device for storing data of an archive data store;
• and
• a network interface;
• wherein processing of instructions related to agent module software comprises steps of:
• receiving a data record over a network from a data generating system;
• assigning the data record to a storage segment;
• calculating a signature for data comprising the received data record;
• storing the calculated signature and an indication of the assigned data segment in a data structure associated with an archive data store;
• and
• storing data comprising the received data record in the archive data store.

A system for the archive of data by an archive server comprising:

• means for receiving a data record over a network from a data generating system;
• means for assigning the data record to a storage segment;
• means for calculating a signature for data comprising the received data record;
• means for storing the calculated signature and an indication of the assigned storage segment in a data structure associated with an archive data store;
• and
• means for storing data comprising the received data record in the archive data store.