Performing snapshotting operations using data structures storing weak references
US12105670B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 29, 2023 |
| Grant date | Oct 1, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 29, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F16/2246
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A processing system manages an ordered set of hierarchical data structures representing snapshots that define the state of a filesystem at different points in time. The data structures include nodes that store strong references, which can be utilized to read or write data, or weak references that can be only utilized to read data. In order to create a new snapshot, a root node is created for a new data structure representing the new snapshot by copying the root node of the data structure representing an active view of the filesystem. Any strong references stored in the copy of the root node are then changed to weak references. Snapshotting operations can then be performed with respect to the new snapshot utilizing the weak references stored in the root node of the new data structure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.