Extensible file system which layers a new file system with an old file system to provide coherent file data
US5561799A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 11, 1996 |
| Grant date | Oct 1, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 11, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/966
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In this disclosure an architecture for extensible file systems is described. Also disclosed is an implementation of the architecture. The architecture enables the extension of file system functionality by stacking (or composing) new file systems (layers) on top of existing file systems. The implementor of a new layer has the option of keeping the files exported by the new layer coherent with files of the underlying layer, as well as the option of sharing the same cached memory with the files of the underlying layer. A flexible framework is also disclosed for arranging the file systems' name spaces. Composing of new layers on top of existing ones can be done statically (at compile/configuration time) or dynamically (at boot/run time). In addition, the file system layers can reside in the same address space or in different address spaces, and be implemented on a local computer node or on a remote computer node.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.