Patent attributes
A single-ended optimized storage protocol enables storage clients or other devices to direct a remote data storage to copy data. In response to commands via the protocol, a remote data storage can copy portions of a data stream at the remote data storage to destination storage locations within the same or a different data stream. The protocol may be utilized for optimized transfer of data via a network to a remote data storage. An initial data stream is divided into segments. Redundant segments are removed from the data stream to form an optimized data stream, which is transferred to the remote data storage. Commands are issued to the remote data storage using the protocol to direct the remote data storage to reconstruct the initial data stream at the remote data storage using the optimized data stream and optionally segments from other data streams previously transferred to the remote data storage.