Directory aggregation for files distributed over a plurality of servers in a switched file system
US8396895B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 21, 2005 |
| Grant date | Mar 12, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 1, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L67/1097
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A file switch, logically positioned between client computers and file servers in a computer network, distributes user files among multiple file servers using an aggregated directory mechanism. A hierarchical directory structure is created on the file servers and used to store metadata files, which store metadata for each user file to indicate where data files, containing portions of the user file, are stored. The file switch automatically spreads the data files and metadata files over a large number of distinct directories on multiple file servers, preventing large number of data files from being stored in a single directory on a single file server. In response to a directory enumeration request from a client computer, one or more directories of metadata files on one or more of the file servers are enumerated, instead of enumerating the data file that store the user file portions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.