Large block allocation for disk-based file systems
First Claim
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1. A method of configuring a computer file system to reduce file fragmentation, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining the maximum input/output bandwidth requirement for data storage accesses for applications using said file system;
determining a data transfer characteristic for a data storage device accessed by said applications;
determining a maximum threshold below which file fragmentation is acceptable for application input/output performance; and
calculating the block size as a function of said maximum input/output bandwidth and said data transfer characteristic, such that read/write operations to said data storage device result in file fragmentation being below said threshold.
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Abstract
A system for allocating block sizes in a computer file system is described. Input/output bandwidth requirements for disk access from an application is determined. Also determined is a data transfer characteristic for the drive being accessed. The minimum block size which reduces file fragmentation below a minimum threshold is then calculated as a function of the determined maximum input/output bandwidth and the data characteristic of the drive.
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14 Claims
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1. A method of configuring a computer file system to reduce file fragmentation, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining the maximum input/output bandwidth requirement for data storage accesses for applications using said file system; determining a data transfer characteristic for a data storage device accessed by said applications; determining a maximum threshold below which file fragmentation is acceptable for application input/output performance; and calculating the block size as a function of said maximum input/output bandwidth and said data transfer characteristic, such that read/write operations to said data storage device result in file fragmentation being below said threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for configuring a computer file system to reduce file fragmentation, the apparatus comprising:
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means for determining the minimum input/output bandwidth requirement for disk drive accesses for applications using said file system; means for determining the maximum seek time for a disk drive accessed by said applications to seek from one block on said disk to a second block on said disk; means for determining the minimum data transfer rate of said disk drive; means for determining a maximum threshold below which file fragmentation is acceptable for application input/output performance; and means for calculating the block size as a function of said minimum input/output bandwidth and said maximum seek time, such that read/write operations to said disk drive result in file fragmentation being below said threshold. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A computer readable medium having stored thereon sequences of instructions which are executable by a processor, and which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of:
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determining the minimum input/output bandwidth requirement for disk drive accesses for applications using said file system; determining the maximum seek time for a disk drive accessed by said applications to seek from one block on said disk to a second block on said disk; determining a maximum threshold below which file fragmentation is acceptable for application input/output performance; and calculating the block size as a function of said minimum input/output bandwidth and said maximum seek time, such that read/write operations to said disk drive result in file fragmentation being below said threshold. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A computer system comprising:
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a bus; a data storage device coupled to said bus; and a processor coupled to said data storage device, said processor operable to receive instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of; determining the maximum input/output bandwidth requirement for data storage accesses for applications using said file system; determining a data transfer characteristic for said data storage device; determining a maximum threshold below which file fragmentation is acceptable for application input/output performance; and calculating the block size as a function of said maximum input/output bandwidth and said data transfer characteristic, such that read/write operations to said data storage device result in file fragmentation being below said threshold. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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Specification