System and method for content management over network storage devices

• US 20050114372A1
• Filed: 12/29/2004
• Published: 05/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intellectual Ventures I LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Fr Chantou Co LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Coile, Brantley W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,015,160 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1001 for accessing one among a plurality of replicated servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99932 Access augmentation or optimizing

Abstract

The present invention is a system and method for managing content across one or more storage device systems. A typical system according to the present invention includes one or more indexing systems and a set of storage device systems. Each indexing system monitors usage of content stored on the storage systems. Based upon usage of particular content, an indexing system may issue requests such as move, delete or copy to more efficiently utilize the overall storage capacity of the storage system. All indexing systems monitor the servicing of such requests and update stored data concerning the file subject to the request accordingly.

Claims

1-38. -38. (canceled)

39. A computer-implemented system for managing content across storage systems, the system comprising:

A) one or more storage systems containing data sets; and

B) one or more indexing systems, each indexing system comprising (a) a data store for storing usage information associated with data sets stored on the one or more storage systems and (b) one or more processing elements programmed or configured to;

i) track usage of the data sets contained on the one or more of storage devices; and

ii) issue a content management directive selected from the group consisting of a copy directive, a move directive, and a delete directive with respect to a selected data set to alter the number of instances of the selected data set contained on the one or more storage devices or to alter the location of an instance of the selected data set on the one or more storage devices so as to maximize efficient access to the data sets.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein each indexing system'"'"'s one or more processing elements are programmed or configured to track usage by:

a) monitoring a data set access request between an indexing system and a storage device system; and

b) updating usage information associated with a data set corresponding to the monitored data set access request.

41. The system of claim 39, and further comprising a communication network among the one or more storage systems and the one or more indexing systems.

42. The system of claim 39, wherein the usage information in the data store is a table of records correlating data sets with data set access request information.

43. The system of claim 39, wherein each storage system comprises a storage processor comprising one or more processing elements, and wherein each storage processor is programmed or configured to:

i) receive a content management directive from the one or more indexing systems; and

ii) add, move or remove a data set on the storage system based upon the received directive.

44. The system of claim 39, and further comprising a management system, wherein the management system delegates data set access requests to the one or more storage systems.

45. A computer-implemented method for one or more indexing systems to manage content across storage systems, the method comprising the steps of:

A) tracking usage of data sets contained on the one or more storage devices by one or more indexing system; and

B) issuing a content management directive selected from the group consisting of a copy directive, a move directive, and a delete directive with respect to a selected data set to alter the number of instances of the selected data set contained on the one or more storage devices or to alter the location of an instance of the selected data set on the one or more storage devices so as to maximize efficient access to the data sets.

46. One or more computer media storing instructions that upon execution by a computer processing environment comprising one or more processing elements cause the environment to perform the method of claim 45.

47. The method of claim 45, and further comprising the steps of:

C) receiving the issued content management directive by a storage system, and D) manipulating the selected data set in accordance with the received content management directive.

48. One or more computer media storing instructions that upon execution by a computer processing environment comprising one or more processing elements cause the environment to perform the method of claim 47.

49. The method of claim 45, and further comprising the steps of:

C) delegating data set access requests to the one or more storage devices.

50. One or more computer media storing instructions that upon execution by a computer processing environment comprising one or more processing elements cause the environment to perform the method of claim 49.

51. A computer-implemented system for managing content across one or more storage devices, the system comprising:

A) tracking means for tracking usage of data sets contained on the one or more storage devices;

B) issuing means for issuing a content management directive selected from the group consisting of a copy directive, a move directive, and a delete directive with respect to a selected data set to alter the number of instances of the selected data set contained on the one or more storage devices or to alter the location of an instance of the selected data set on the one or more storage devices so as to maximize efficient access to the data sets.

52. The system of claim 51, and further comprising:

C) one or more storage devices, wherein each storage device comprises;

i) receiving means for receiving a content management directive from the issuing means; and

ii) manipulating means for manipulating the selected data set in accordance with a content management directive received by the receiving means.

53. The system of claim 51, and further comprising:

C) delegating means for delegating data set access requests to the one or more storage devices.