# US 2013/0159359 A1 · Dynamic Storage Tiering In A Virtual Environment > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0159359 A1 - Document ID: US20130159359A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/327,366 - Filed: 2011-12-15 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-15 - Assignees: Veritas Technologies LLC - Inventors: Sanjay Kumar; Venkatesha M.G. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130159359A1 ## CPC - G06F 16/185: Hierarchical storage management [HSM] systems, e.g. file migration or policies thereof (details of archiving G06F16/11) - G06F 3/0604: {Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. storage management} - G06F 3/0605: {by facilitating the interaction with a user or administrator} - G06F 3/0647: {Migration mechanisms} - G06F 3/0649: {Lifecycle management} - G06F 3/0667: {at data level, e.g. file, record or object virtualisation} - G06F 3/0683: {Plurality of storage devices} - G06F 3/0685: {Hybrid storage combining heterogeneous device types, e.g. hierarchical storage, hybrid arrays} - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract Various systems and methods for performing dynamic storage tiering in a virtual environment. For example, one method can involve identifying a location of a storage object within a virtual machine file, where the virtual machine file includes multiple storage objects. The method then involves detecting whether the storage object meets a criterion of a tiering policy. If the storage object meets the criterion, the storage object is moved from one tier of a multi-tier storage system to another tier of the multi-tier storage system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: identifying a location of a storage object in a virtual machine file, wherein the virtual machine file comprises a plurality of storage objects, the plurality of storage objects are configured to be accessed by a virtual machine, and the virtual machine is implemented by a host; detecting whether the storage object meets a criterion, wherein the criterion is specified in a tiering policy; and initiating a move of the storage object from a first storage tier to a second storage tier, wherein the initiating is performed by the host in response to the detecting. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying comprises accessing metadata, wherein the metadata comprises information identifying a plurality of inodes. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying comprises mounting the virtual machine file. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the storage object comprises metadata. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: detecting a modification to the storage object, wherein the detecting occurs during the move. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: creating a list comprising information that identifies each storage object of the plurality of storage objects that is subject to the tiering policy. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating a map, wherein the map identifies a location in the virtual machine file for each storage object of the plurality of storage objects that is subject to the tiering policy. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the storage object comprises a file. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: identifying a file system executed by the virtual machine. ### Claim 10 A computer readable storage medium comprising program instructions executable to: identify a location of a storage object in a virtual machine file, wherein the virtual machine file comprises a plurality of storage objects, the plurality of storage objects are configured to be accessed by a virtual machine, and the virtual machine is implemented by a host; detect whether the storage object meets a criterion, wherein the criterion is specified in a tiering policy; and initiate a move of the storage object from a first storage tier to a second storage tier, wherein initiating the move is performed by the host in response to detecting whether the storage object meets the criterion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The computer readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the program instructions are further executable to: access metadata, wherein the metadata comprises information identifying a plurality of inodes. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The computer readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the program instructions are further executable to: mount the virtual machine file. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The computer readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the program instructions are further executable to: detect, during the move, whether the storage object is modified. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The computer readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the program instructions are further executable to: create a list comprising information that identifies each storage object of the plurality of storage objects that is subject to the tiering policy. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The computer readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the program instructions are further executable to: generate a map, wherein the map identifies a location in the virtual machine file for each storage object of the plurality of storage objects that is subject to the tiering policy. ### Claim 16 A system comprising: one or more processors; and a memory coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the memory stores program instructions executable to: identify a location of a storage object in a virtual machine file, wherein the virtual machine file comprises a plurality of storage objects, the plurality of storage objects are configured to be accessed by a virtual machine, and the virtual machine is implemented by a host; detect whether the storage object meets a criterion, wherein the criterion is specified in a tiering policy; and initiate a move of the storage object from a first storage tier to a second storage tier, wherein initiating the move is performed by the host in response to detecting whether the storage object meets the criterion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the program instructions are further executable to: access metadata, wherein the metadata comprises information identifying a plurality of inodes. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the program instructions are further executable to: detect, during the move, whether the storage object is modified. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the program instructions are further executable to: create a list comprising information that identifies each storage object of the plurality of storage objects that is subject to the tiering policy. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the program instructions are further executable to: generate a map, wherein the map identifies a location in the virtual machine file for each storage object of the plurality of storage objects that is subject to the tiering policy. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: monitoring the criterion, wherein the criterion comprises at least one of access frequency, a user, age, or security information.