Systems and Methods for Restoring an Interface to a Global File System

• US 20170010940A1
• Filed: 07/07/2016
• Published: 01/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nasuni Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nasuni Corporation
• Inventors: Baughman, Kevin William, McDonald, Matthew M., Vincent, Jon, Lacasse, Christopher S., Mason, Robert, Shaw, David M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,893,102 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/184 implemented as replicated file system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/1844 Management specifically adapted to replicated file systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/1873 Versioning file systems, temporal file systems, e.g. file system supporting different historic versions of files
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1097 for distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS]

Abstract

A versioned file storage system (VFS) and method for operating and using the same is disclosed. In an aspect, a mechanism is provided wherein a first VFS interface unit coupling the VFS to a local data storage system is replaced with a second VFS interface unit in a coordinated procedure for taking the first unit offline, making a reliable snapshot of its data and cache structure in the VFS, and loading the same data and cache structure into the second VFS interface brought online. The first and second VFS interfaces transfer the necessary data to achieve the switch through respective side-loading daemons running in each interface. Clients in the local data storage system experience minimal interruption of services in the VFS.

Claims

1. In a versioned file system (VFS) employing a VFS interface services to a local data storage system, a method for restoring such VFS interface services to the local data storage system by replacing a first VFS interface with a second VFS interface, the method comprising:

taking the first VFS interface offline so that it no longer accepts new data or requests for data from the local data storage system while maintaining the first VFS interface powered and running at least a first side-loading daemon on said first VFS interface;

taking a snapshot of data from the first VFS interface and synchronizing said data from the first VFS interface to the VFS;

taking the second VFS interface online so that it is powered, running at least a second side-loading daemon, and addressable using a network address;

placing said first and second side-loading daemons in data communication with one another;

receiving at the second VFS interface, through the second side-loading daemon, a copy of data from the first VFS interface, provided through said first side-loading daemon; and

restoring VFS interface services to the local data storage system whereby the second VFS interface accepts data and requests for data from the local data storage system and services the same.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving said copy of the data comprises the second VFS interface pulling said data from the first VFS interface as necessary;

3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving said copy of the data comprises secure transmission of said data from the first side-loading daemon to the second side-loading daemon.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising taking a third VFS interface online, and using a third VFS interface, coupling said third VFS interface to the first VFS interface so that both the second and third VFS interfaces replace said first VFS interface in servicing the local data storage system.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving at the second VFS interface, from the first VFS interface, a copy of a cached data.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving at the second VFS interface, from the first VFS interface, a copy of a directory structure.

7. The method of claim 1, taking the second VFS interface online comprising providing the second VFS interface with a reachable network address.

8. The method of claim 7, providing the second VFS interface with a reachable network address comprising assigning to the second VFS interface a same network address as was previously used by the first VFS interface.

9. The method of claim 7, providing the second VFS interface with a reachable network address comprising assigning to the second VFS interface a different network address than was previously used by the first VFS interface.

10. The method of claim 1, said steps representing a process for decommissioning at least one VFS interface, including the first VFS interface, and commissioning at least one VFS interface, including the second VFS interface.

11. A network accessible data storage architecture, comprising:

a network-connected versioned file system (VFS);

a first VFS interface, coupled to said VFS, having a first VFS network address, and configurably adapted to service requests from a local data storage system if the first VFS interface is online and addressable by said local data storage system, and including a first side-loading daemon, and a data set stored in said first VFS interface; and

a second VFS interface, coupled to said VFS, having a second network address, and configurably adapted to service requests from said local data storage system if the second VFS interface is online and addressable by said local data storage system, and including a second side-loading daemon configured to receive from the first side-loading daemon a copy of said data set;

wherein said architecture is configured and adapted to service requests from the local data storage system, initially from said first VFS interface while it is online and addressable by the local data storage system, then from the second VFS interface after it is populated by said data set through the respective side-loading daemons of the second and first VFS interfaces.

12. The architecture of claim 11, further comprising a cloud interface between said VFS and each of the first and second VFS interfaces.