Method and system for offline indexing of content and classifying stored data

A method of controlling a computer system to identify archived data, comprising:

• in response to receiving a search request directed to desired data, searching an index containing information associated with the desired data to generate search results,
• wherein the index contains information identifying at least one data item that is not available from mounted disk media or faster media,
• wherein the faster media has a retrieval time or accessibility that is faster than mounted disk media,
• wherein the information is associated with either the primary copy, the secondary copy, or both the primary copy and the secondary copy;
• for search results identifying desired data items that are not available from mounted disk media or faster media, retrieving information about the desired data from an archive or secondary storage location;
• and
• providing the search results in response to the search request,
• wherein searching the index includes searching the index based on information about availability of at least the desired data,
• wherein the availability is based upon locations of at least the desired data, and
• wherein providing search results includes providing search results indicating estimated times required to access at least the desired data based upon respective availabilities.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by at least one data storage device, performs a method of controlling a computer system to identify stored data comprising:

• in response to receiving a search request directed to desired data, searching an index containing information associated with the desired data to generate search results,
• wherein the index contains information identifying at least one data item that is not available from mounted disk media or faster media,
• wherein the faster media has a retrieval time or accessibility that is faster than mounted disk media,
• wherein the information is associated with either the primary copy, the secondary copy, or both the primary copy and the secondary copy;
• for search results identifying desired data items that are not available from mounted disk media or faster media, retrieving information about the desired data from an archive or secondary storage location;
• and
• providing the search results in response to the search request,
• wherein searching the index includes searching the index based on information about availability of at least the desired data,
• wherein the availability is based upon locations of at least the desired data, and
• wherein providing search results includes providing search results indicating estimated times required to access at least the desired data based upon respective availabilities.