File system metadata layout for append-only storage
US12141103B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 20, 2022 |
| Grant date | Nov 12, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 12, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F16/14
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The techniques disclosed herein enable systems to store file system metadata on append-only storage devices by the introduction of a metadata layout and relative references. To achieve this, a system analyzes a file metadata structure to select an approach to storing the metadata structure on the storage device. If the metadata structure is above a threshold size, it is separated into layers that are then appended to the storage device from lowest to highest. An offset is retrieved for appended layers and provided to upper-level layers that refer to them until the full structure is stored. For storing smaller pieces of metadata that refer to each other, the system configures upper-level nodes with relative references that express the location of metadata relative to the node. This enables atomic write operations for smaller metadata structures and/or portions of larger structures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.