Integrated archival and backup

A computer readable storage medium comprising program instructions executable to:

• access a first backup image;
• generate a first set of indexing information for the first backup image, wherein the first set of indexing information identifies one or more data items included within the first backup image;
• compare the first set of indexing information to a second set of indexing information associated with a second backup image, wherein the second backup image is generated subsequent to a time at which the first backup image is generated;
• identify a first data item of the one or more data items as having been modified or deleted after the time at which the first backup image is generated, in response to comparing the first and second sets of indexing information;
• and
• copy the first data item from the first backup image to an archival data repository, prior to deletion of the first backup image.

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:
• access a first backup image;
• generate a first set of indexing information for the first backup image, wherein the first set of indexing information identifies one or more data items included within the first backup image;
• compare the first set of indexing information to a second set of indexing information associated with a second backup image, wherein the second backup image is generated subsequent to a time at which the first backup image is generated;
• identify a first data item of the one or more data items as having been modified or deleted after the time at which the first backup image is generated, in response to comparing the first and second sets of indexing information;
• and
• copy the first data item from the first backup image to an archival data repository, prior to deletion of the first backup image.