File deletion and truncation using a zombie file space
First Claim
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1. A method of operating a file server, comprising the steps of:
- identifying a file in a first file space for truncation;
in response to a determination that the size of the file is over a threshold, using zombie file space for truncation of the file, the zombie file space reserved for in progress file operations that takes a long time relative to an interval between consistency points of the file server, the zombie file space inaccessible to one or more system users, wherein using the zombie file space for truncation of the file further comprises;
making said file unavailable to the one or more system users in the first file space;
linking said file to the zombie file space after said file is identified for truncation;
truncating said file while maintaining file consistency at each consistency point;
delinking said file from said zombie file space; and
making said file available to the one or more system users in said first file space.
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Abstract
A method and system for reliably performing extra-long operations in a reliable state-full system (such as a file system). The file system includes a separate portion of the file system reserved for files having extra-long operations in progress, including file deletion and file truncation. This separate portion of the file system is called the zombie file space; it includes a separate name space from the regular (“live”) file system that is accessible to users, and is maintained as part of the file system when recording a consistency point.
72 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of operating a file server, comprising the steps of:
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identifying a file in a first file space for truncation; in response to a determination that the size of the file is over a threshold, using zombie file space for truncation of the file, the zombie file space reserved for in progress file operations that takes a long time relative to an interval between consistency points of the file server, the zombie file space inaccessible to one or more system users, wherein using the zombie file space for truncation of the file further comprises; making said file unavailable to the one or more system users in the first file space; linking said file to the zombie file space after said file is identified for truncation; truncating said file while maintaining file consistency at each consistency point; delinking said file from said zombie file space; and making said file available to the one or more system users in said first file space. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of operating a file server, comprising the steps of:
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identifying a file in a first file space for deletion; in response to a determination that the size of the file is over a threshold, using zombie file space for deletion of the file, the zombie file space reserved for in progress file operations that takes a long time relative to an interval between consistency points of the file server, zombie file space inaccessible to one or more system users, wherein using the zombie file space for deletion of the file further comprises; making said file unavailable to the one or more system users in the first file space; linking said file to the zombie file space after said file is identified for deletion; deleting said file while maintaining file consistency at each consistency point; delinking said file from said zombie file space; and making said file available to the one or more system users in said first file space. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A file server, comprising:
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a processor; memory storing program code; a network interface; and
mass storage;wherein said processor executes the program code stored in said memory to control access to said mass storage, the program code comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the server to perform the steps of; identifying a file in a first file space for truncation; in response to a determination that the size of the file is over a threshold, using zombie file space for truncation of the file, the zombie file space reserved for in progress file operations that takes a long time relative to an interval between consistency points of the file server, the zombie file space inaccessible to one or more system users, wherein using the zombie file space for truncation of the file further comprises; making said file unavailable to the one or more system users in the first file space; linking said file to the zombie file space after said file is identified for truncation; truncating said file while maintaining file consistency at each consistency point; delinking said file from said zombie file space; and making said file available to the one or more system users in said first file space. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A file server, comprising:
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a processor; memory storing program code; a network interface; and mass storage; wherein said processor executes the program code stored in said memory to control access to said mass storage, the program code comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the server to perform the steps of; identifying a file in a first file space for deletion; in response to a determination that the size of the file is over a threshold, using zombie file space for deletion of the file, the zombie file space reserved for in progress file operations that takes a long time relative to an interval between consistency points of the file server, the zombie file space inaccessible to one or more system users, wherein using the zombie file space for deletion of the file further comprises; making said file unavailable to the one or more system users in the first file space; linking said file to the zombie file spaceafter said file is identified for deletion; deleting blocks of said file while maintaining file consistency at each consistency point; delinking said file from said zombie file space; and making said file available to the one or more system users in said first file space. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer-readable storage medium storing program code that, when performed by a processor of a file server, causes the server to perform the steps of:
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identifying a file in a first file space for truncation; in response to a determination that the size of the file is over a threshold, using the zombie file space for truncation of the file, the zombie file space reserved for in progress file operations that takes a long time relative to an interval between consistency points of the file server, zombie file space inaccessible to one or more system users, wherein using the zombie file space for truncation of the file further comprises; making said file unavailable to the one or more system users in the first file space; linking said file to the zombie file space after said file is identified for truncation; truncating said file while maintaining file consistency at each consistency point; delinking said file from said zombie file space; and making said file available to the one or more system users in said first file space. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A computer-readable storage medium storing program code that, when performed by a processor of a file server, causes the server to perform the steps of:
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identifying a file in a first file space for deletion; in response to a determination that the size of the file is over a threshold, using the zombie file space for deletion of the file, the zombie file space reserved for in progress file operations that takes a long time relative to an interval between consistency points of the file server, zombie file space inaccessible to one or more system users, wherein using the zombie file space for deletion of the file further comprises; making said file unavailable to the one or more system users in the first file space; linking said file to the zombie file space after said file is identified for deletion; deleting blocks of said file while maintaining file consistency at each consistency point; delinking said file from said zombie file space; and making said file available to the one or more system users in said first file space. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A computer-readable storage medium storing program code that, when performed by a processor of a file server, causes the server to perform the steps of:
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identifying a file in a first file space for deletion, the file being a composite file comprising one or more attached data elements; in response to a determination that the size of the file is over a threshold, using zombie file space for deletion of the file, the zombie file space reserved for in progress file operations that takes a long time relative to an interval between consistency points of the file server, the zombie file space inaccessible to one or more system users, wherein using the zombie file space for deletion of the file further comprises; making said file unavailable to the one or more system users in the first file space; linking said file to the zombie file space after said file is identified for deletion; deleting blocks of said file while maintaining file consistency at each consistency point; delinking said file from said zombie file space; and making said file available to the one or more system users in said first file space, wherein in the course of performing the step of deleting, the server is caused to further perform the steps of; deleting at least one of the one or more attached data elements of said file after the step of linking and before the step of delinking; and deleting said file after the step of delinking.
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Specification