A method for performing data backup operations may involve copying data to
be archived from a source system and copying file properties from the
source system. The file properties may include archiving properties for
at least one data file among the copied data. The data file may then be
archived in accordance with the archiving properties. The copied data may
be copied from a first host onto a second host. The file properties may
also be copied from the first host onto the second host. The file
properties may be stored as file attributes or metadata on the source
system and may be copied to an archiving server along with the file.
Additionally, a method for performing off-host processing of data may
involve copying data to be processed from a source system, copying
processing instructions from the source system and processing the copied
data according to the copied processing instructions.