Patent attributes
A method, computer program product and system for backing up and restoring files using systems with available disk space. A daemon application may be installed on systems with available disk space to store backup files. The daemon application may transmit data to a central system that indicates the amount of available disk space on its system. The central system may create a master file that includes a listing of systems with available disk space and the amount of available disk space for each listed system. A backup application may be installed on systems whose files are to be backed up. The backup application may be configured to download the master file and determine which systems from the master file are to receive the files to be backed up from its system. By storing backup files on systems with available disk space, a company may reduce its cost in backing up files.