Backup search agents for use with desktop search tools

A system comprising a processor and a memory, wherein

• the memory stores program instructions executable by the processor to implement a backup search agent, wherein
• the backup search agent is configured to be registered for communication with a desktop search tool,
• the backup search agent comprises:
• an interface to the desktop search tool, wherein
• the interface is configured to receive a search request sent by the desktop search tool, wherein the search request is initiated by an end user of a backup system,
• the desktop search tool is a third-party search tool that is not part of the backup system, and
• the third-party search tool is provided by a different software vendor than the backup system;
• and
• a search module coupled to the interface, wherein
• the search module is configured to transfer a portion of an index corresponding to the backup catalog into local cache corresponding to the backup search agent, wherein
• the index identifies content included in one or more files identified in the backup catalog,
• the search module is configured to search the portion of the index,
• the search module is configured to search a backup catalog maintained in a proprietary format by the backup system, in response to the interface receiving the search request,
• the search module is configured to directly access the backup catalog and interpret information in the backup catalog,
• the search module is configured to format a result of the search for the desktop search tool, and
• the backup catalog identifies a respective time associated with each of a plurality of files.

A computer readable storage medium comprising program instructions executable to implement a backup search agent coupled to communicate with a desktop search tool and a backup system, wherein the backup search agent is configured to:

• receive a search request from the desktop search tool, wherein
• the desktop search tool is configured to transmit the search request,
• the desktop search tool is configured for use by an end user of the backup system,
• the desktop search tool is a third-party search tool that is not part of the backup system, and
• the third-party search tool is provided by a different software vendor than the backup system;
• search a backup catalog in response to the search request, wherein
• the searching comprises transferring a portion of an index corresponding to the backup catalog into local cache corresponding to the backup search agent, wherein
• the index identifies content included in one or more files identified in the backup catalog, and the transferring is performed by the backup search agent,
• the searching comprises searching the portion of the index, and
• the backup catalog is maintained in a proprietary format by the backup system and identifies a respective time associated with each of a plurality of files;
• provide a result of searching the backup catalog to the desktop search tool;
• directly access the backup catalog and interpret information in the backup catalog;
• register for communication with the desktop search tool, and
• format the result for the desktop search tool.

A system comprising:

• a processor;
• computer readable storage medium;
• means for executing program instructions stored in memory;
• means for storing a backup catalog;
• means for receiving a search request from a desktop search tool, wherein
• the desktop search tool is configured to transmit the search request,
• the desktop search tool is configured for use by an end user of a backup system,
• the desktop search tool is a third-party search tool that is not part of the backup system, and
• the third-party search tool is provided by a different software vendor than the backup system;
• means for searching a backup catalog in response to the search request, wherein
• the searching comprises transferring a portion of an index corresponding to the backup catalog into local cache corresponding to the means for searching, wherein
• the index identifies content included in one or more files identified in the backup catalog, and the transferring is performed by the means for searching,
• the searching comprises searching the portion of the index, and
• the backup catalog is maintained in a proprietary format by the backup system and identifies a respective time associated with each of a plurality of files;
• means for providing a result of searching the backup catalog to the desktop search tool;
• means for directly accessing the backup catalog and interpreting information in the backup catalog;
• means for registering for communication with the desktop search tool;
• and
• means for formatting the result for the desktop search tool.