Unification of directory service with file system services
First Claim
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1. In a distributed system having a distributed set of storage devices and a distributed file system, a method comprising the steps of:
- storing directory service entries in the storage devices as objects such that each directory service entry is encapsulated in a separate object having properties;
storing files in the storage devices as objects having properties;
providing a querying mechanism in the distributed file system;
using the querying mechanism to perform a first query of properties on the directory service entries; and
using the querying mechanism to perform a second query of properties on the files.
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Abstract
A software system unifies directory services with the file system. Directory service entries and other files are all stored in a common logical format, such as an object format. The unification of files with directory service entries allows a common set of tools to operate on both such entities and allows a common name space to be utilized. Security measures are taken so as to prevent unauthorized access to the directory service entries.
174 Citations
6 Claims
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1. In a distributed system having a distributed set of storage devices and a distributed file system, a method comprising the steps of:
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storing directory service entries in the storage devices as objects such that each directory service entry is encapsulated in a separate object having properties; storing files in the storage devices as objects having properties; providing a querying mechanism in the distributed file system; using the querying mechanism to perform a first query of properties on the directory service entries; and using the querying mechanism to perform a second query of properties on the files.
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2. In a distributed system running a software system having a distributed file system, an application programming interface that may be called to perform a function and a distributed set of storage devices, a method comprising the steps of:
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storing directory service entries in the storage devices such that each directory service entry is encapsulated into a separate object; storing files in the storage devices as objects; calling the application programming interface to perform the function on at least one of the directory service entry objects; and calling the application programming interface to perform the function on at least one of the objects holding files.
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3. In a distributed system, having a distributed storage system, a method comprising the steps of:
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storing sets of directory service entries in the distributed storage system as objects such that each directory service entry is encapsulated in a separate object, wherein each directory service entry object holds properties; performing a query on the sets of directory service entries to extract at least one property from a selected directory service entry object; and storing the property extracted from the selected directory service entries in a global catalog. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5)
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6. A computer-readable storage medium holding a global catalog comprising:
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a row for each corresponding directory service entry that is queried to create the global catalog; each row being divided into columns, such that each column holds a value for an associated property queried from the directory service entry that corresponds with the row; and each row further including a link to the corresponding directory service entry to facilitate access to the directory service entry.
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Specification