×

Shadow directory structure in a distributed segmented file system

  • US 7,430,570 B1
  • Filed: 04/28/2004
  • Issued: 09/30/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2003
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A file server comprising:

  • a memory interface configured to communicate with a memory storing at least one segment of a distributed, segmented single file system implemented by an association of devices including a plurality of file servers that control metadata of separate segments of the file system; and

    a processor coupled to the memory interface and configured to;

    identify a file residing on a first segment in the distributed file system and directly pointed to by a first remote ancestor directory that resides on a second segment separate from the first segment; and

    store a first shadow tree entry in a selected segment other than the second segment, the selected segment being controlled by one of the plurality of servers, and the first shadow tree entry providing a pointer to the identified file and being disposed in a shadow tree;

    wherein the first shadow tree entry provides an alternative to the first remote ancestor directory to access the identified file in the distributed file system.

View all claims
  • 9 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×