Extent virtualization
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method, comprising:
- employing at least one processor configured to execute computer-executable instructions stored in memory to perform the following acts;
identifying a first set of one or more contiguous storage blocks to be allocated for storage of a master-image virtual hard disk;
extending the first set of one or more contiguous storage blocks by one or more additional storage blocks reserved for patches to the master-image virtual hard disk different from updates to the master-image virtual hard disk that are represented by one or more differencing virtual hard disks, wherein the one or more differencing virtual hard disks are dependent on the master-image virtual hard disk;
allocating space in a physical file system for the extended first set of contiguous storage blocks for the master-image virtual hard disk and for the patches to the master-image virtual hard disk; and
allocating additional space in the physical file system for a second set of contiguous storage blocks for the one or more differencing virtual hard disks, wherein the additional space in the physical file system is physically contiguous with and after the space in the physical file system.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Files can be segmented into distinct groups and allocated storage units such as blocks. Files associated with parent and child files can be segmented into separate groups, for instance. Further, a group associated with parent files can be extended to include additional blocks reserved for subsequent update. Additionally, metadata can be merged across groups to provide a unified view of the distinct groups.
23 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A method, comprising:
employing at least one processor configured to execute computer-executable instructions stored in memory to perform the following acts; identifying a first set of one or more contiguous storage blocks to be allocated for storage of a master-image virtual hard disk; extending the first set of one or more contiguous storage blocks by one or more additional storage blocks reserved for patches to the master-image virtual hard disk different from updates to the master-image virtual hard disk that are represented by one or more differencing virtual hard disks, wherein the one or more differencing virtual hard disks are dependent on the master-image virtual hard disk; allocating space in a physical file system for the extended first set of contiguous storage blocks for the master-image virtual hard disk and for the patches to the master-image virtual hard disk; and allocating additional space in the physical file system for a second set of contiguous storage blocks for the one or more differencing virtual hard disks, wherein the additional space in the physical file system is physically contiguous with and after the space in the physical file system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
6. A system, comprising:
a processor coupled to a memory, the processor configured to execute computer-executable instructions stored in the memory to cause the system to; identify a first set of contiguous storage blocks to be allocated for a master-image virtual hard disk; extend the first set of contiguous storage blocks by one or more additional contiguous storage blocks for patches to the master-image virtual hard disk; allocate a first space range in a physical file system for the extended first set of contiguous storage blocks for the master-image virtual hard disk, and for the patches to the master-image virtual hard disk, wherein the one or more patches are different than updates captured by one or more differencing virtual hard disks; and allocate an additional space range in the physical file system for a second set of contiguous storage blocks for the one or more differencing virtual hard disks, wherein the one or more differencing virtual hard disks are dependent on the master-image virtual hard disk, and wherein the additional space range in the physical file system is physically contiguous with and after the first space range in the physical file system. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16)
-
11. A computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that enable at least one processor to perform a method upon execution, the method comprising:
-
identifying a contiguous set of storage blocks for allocation for a master-image virtual hard disk; extending the contiguous set of storage blocks for allocation to the master-image virtual hard disk by one or more additional blocks for storage of updates to the master-image virtual hard disk; allocating a first location, in a physical file system for the extended contiguous set of storage blocks for the master image virtual hard disk and for updates to the master-image virtual hard disk, wherein the updates to the master-image virtual hard disk are not included in one or more differencing virtual hard disks; and allocating a second location for additional storage blocks for the one or more differencing virtual hard disks, wherein the second location is physically contiguous with and after the first location in the physical file system, and wherein the one or more differencing virtual hard disks are dependent on the master-image virtual hard disk. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
-
Specification