1. A system for storing multiple instances of a data object in a data storage network, wherein the data storage network includes data storage devices coupled via a computer network, and wherein the computer network also couples to a computer storing a primary copy of data that includes a first set of N number of the same data objects, the system comprising: multiple data storage devices, wherein each of the multiple storage devices is distinct from, and coupled via the computer network to, the computer; a variable instance database configured to store information associated with secondary copies of the data that includes a second set of reduced instanced data objects, wherein the information includes, for each data object of the reduced instanced data objects of the second set: a unique identifier generated for the reduced instanced data object, and a number of instances of the reduced instanced data object, to store for the reduced instanced data object that is based on a classification assigned to the reduced instanced data object, wherein the number of instances of the reduced instanced data object is less than the N number of instances of the data object stored in the primary copy of data, wherein at least one of the reduced instanced data objects of the second set has multiple instances stored among the multiple storage devices, and wherein a pointer is stored in the variable instance database, to a storage location for each instance of the reduced instanced data object; a secondary storage computing device that includes a processor and is configured to: receive an indication to perform a storage operation on the primary copy of the data, including the first set of N number of the same data objects, where N is a number greater than 3, wherein the indication specifies that fewer than N instances but greater than one instance of the N number of data objects of the first set are to be stored, and wherein each of the data objects of the first set are to be stored on a distinct one of the multiple storage devices; generate a unique identifier for each of the N number of data objects of the first set; access the variable instance database and for the N number of data objects of the first set, use the generated unique identifier and the number of instances to store based on the classification assigned to the reduced instanced data object to determine the fewer than N instances but greater than one instance to store for the first set of N number of data objects; and store the fewer than N instances of the data object but greater than one instance of the data object on the multiple storage devices.