Method and apparatus for accessing remote storage in a distributed storage cluster architecture
US6952737B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 29, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 4, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 2, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L63/12
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A network storage system includes a virtual file system (“VFS”) that manages the files of the network storage system, and a storage center that stores the files. The VFS and the storage center are separated, such that a client accesses the VFS to conduct file system operations and the client accesses the storage center to upload/download files. The client accesses the network storage system through one or more storage ports. The storage center includes a plurality of distributed object storage managers (DOSMS) and a storage cluster that includes a plurality of intelligent storage nodes. The network storage system includes additional storage centers at geographically disparate locations. The network storage system uses a multi-cast protocol to maintain file information at the DOSMs regarding files stored in the intelligent storage nodes, including files stored in disparate storage centers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.