Apparatus and method for hardware-based file system
US8224877B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 20, 2007 |
| Grant date | Jul 17, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 17, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99948
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A hardware-based file system includes multiple linked sub-modules that perform functions ancillary to client data handling. Each sub-module is associated with a metadata cache. A doubly-rooted structure is used to store each file system object at successive checkpoints. Metadata is stored within an object and/or as a separate object. Provisions are made for allocating sparse objects. A delayed write feature is used for writing certain objects into non-volatile storage. Checkpoints can be retained as read-only versions of the file system. Modifications to the file system are accomplished without affecting the contents of retained checkpoints. The file system can be reverted to a retained checkpoint. Multiple file servers can be interconnected as a cluster, and each file server stores requests from another file server. Interconnections between file servers can be dynamically modified. A distributed locking mechanism is used to control access to file system objects stored by the file servers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.