Data protection methods and systems for a networked storage environment

A non-transitory, machine readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions comprising machine executable code, which when executed by a machine, causes the machine to:

• store in a first-in-first out (FIFO) structure a logical representation of a first storage location that retains previous data for a data container, after new data for the data container is stored at a second storage location;
• store in the FIFO structure, a logical representation of a file system tree structure stored in persistent storage after a consistent point operation;
• in response to an event, select the file system tree structure from the FIFO structure, based on the file system tree structure being closest to a transaction;
• generate a snapshot using the file system tree structure;
• and
• restore the data container from the snapshot.

A system, comprising:

• a memory containing machine readable medium comprising machine executable code having stored thereon instructions;
• and a processor coupled to the memory to execute the machine executable code to:
• store in a first-in-first out (FIFO) structure a logical representation of a first storage location that retains previous data for a data container, after new data for the data container is stored at a second storage location;
• store in the FIFO structure, a logical representation of a file system tree structure stored in persistent storage after a consistent point operation;
• in response to an event, select the file system tree structure from the FIFO structure, based on the file system tree structure being closest to a transaction;
• generate a snapshot using the file system tree structure;
• and
• restore the data container from the snapshot.