Patent · US Active

Volume format conversion

US8073816B1 · kind B1 · utility

11Cited by
0References
32Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 20, 2009
Grant dateDec 6, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 10, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F3/0689
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Data storage volumes, such as a file system on a storage system, may utilize a particular operating system format. Converting a volume to a different format may be desirable at times. However, this can be time consuming and resource intensive if data needs to be copied. Accordingly, substantially copying-free, in-place conversion of a data-storage volume from a first format to a second format is provided herein. In one embodiment, it is determined whether the volume can be converted, for example, by comparing compatibility of features between the first and second formats. A desired feature list is retrieved and respective features are checked for compatibility. Access to the volume is blocked during the conversion, and the volume is converted if the features are found to be compatible. If the conversion is successful, post conversion operations are performed, including unblocking the volume and notifying clients that the volume is available for access.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.