Data storage management for network interconnected processors using transferrable placeholders
First Claim
1. A data storage management system for a data network which functions to interconnect a plurality of file servers, each of which stores data files in a plurality of file server volumes, said data storage management system comprising:
- directory means, located in each of said plurality of file servers, for identifying a storage location in said plurality of file server volumes of each data file stored on said file server;
secondary storage means for storing data files migrated from said plurality of file servers;
storage server means connected to said network for automatically managing transfer of data files between said plurality of file servers and said secondary storage means, comprising;
means for migrating selected data files from said plurality of file servers to said secondary storage means,means for writing in said directory means at a file server volume directory location for each of said migrated selected data files, placeholder data indicating that said migrated selected data file has been migrated to said secondary storage means, andmeans, responsive to a one of said migrated selected data files being transferred from a first of said plurality of file server volumes on a selected file server to a second of said plurality of file server volumes on a one of said plurality of file servers, for transferring said placeholder data, written in said directory means at a file server volume directory location for said migrated selected data file on said selected file server, to a said directory means at a file server volume directory location for said migrated selected data file on a one of said plurality of file servers associated with said second of said plurality of file server volumes.
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Abstract
The data storage management system provides the capability to move and/or copy the placeholder files from one file server volume to another file server volume, even if the destination file server volume resides on a different file server. This is accomplished by the use of unique and immutable migration keys which are included in the placeholder entries to identify the location of the associated data file with absolute certainty. In addition, a duplicate copy of the placeholder catalog file is maintained in the system to prevent loss of file system integrity in the event that the active placeholder catalog file is corrupted. This placeholder data is maintained in a placeholder volume catalog which provides users with a file-system-like view of the placeholder files which reside on the selected volume.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A data storage management system for a data network which functions to interconnect a plurality of file servers, each of which stores data files in a plurality of file server volumes, said data storage management system comprising:
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directory means, located in each of said plurality of file servers, for identifying a storage location in said plurality of file server volumes of each data file stored on said file server; secondary storage means for storing data files migrated from said plurality of file servers; storage server means connected to said network for automatically managing transfer of data files between said plurality of file servers and said secondary storage means, comprising; means for migrating selected data files from said plurality of file servers to said secondary storage means, means for writing in said directory means at a file server volume directory location for each of said migrated selected data files, placeholder data indicating that said migrated selected data file has been migrated to said secondary storage means, and means, responsive to a one of said migrated selected data files being transferred from a first of said plurality of file server volumes on a selected file server to a second of said plurality of file server volumes on a one of said plurality of file servers, for transferring said placeholder data, written in said directory means at a file server volume directory location for said migrated selected data file on said selected file server, to a said directory means at a file server volume directory location for said migrated selected data file on a one of said plurality of file servers associated with said second of said plurality of file server volumes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification