Self-defining data units

• US 20020087672A1
• Filed: 12/29/2000
• Published: 07/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oracle America, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Storage Technologies Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Milligan, Charles A., Selkirk, Stephen S.
• Granted Patent: US 6,973,556 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1435 using file system or storage system metadata
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2322 using timestamps
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2329 using versioning

Abstract

A mechanism is provided for storing self-defining data and mapping elements with either a fixed set of allowed structures or types or with the structures and types determined by rules. Recovery is enhanced by the use of backward and forward pointers between data and mapping elements for the data elements in the order written by the management algorithm. Recovery is also enhanced by the use of companion pointers with metadata. The companion pointers may include pointers to data or mapping elements that are part of the same structural grouping. The metadata may describe the structural grouping. The metadata may also include pointers to the previous and/or next versions of the same elements. Recovery of the data and/or mapping structures is achieved by the reverse application of the management algorithm.

Claims

1. A method for self-defining data elements comprising:

associating a data element with metadata;

storing management information in the metadata;

providing one or more anchor points to begin selected analysis processes; and

storing management rules and processing rules in the metadata.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the management information comprises a time stamp.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the management information comprises a management rule.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the management rule comprises one of performance criteria, reliability criteria, availability criteria, and capacity criteria.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the management information comprises a pointer to a management rule.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the management information comprises a sequencing rule.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the sequencing rule comprises one of a logical rule, a time rule, and a structure rule.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the management information comprises a pointer to a sequencing rule.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the management information comprises a management function for accomplishing management rules.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein associating is accomplished by physically storing the metadata with the data.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein associating is accomplished by storing a pointer with the data that allows one to locate the metadata.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein anchor points are pointers to the current location the metadata for selected data elements.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein anchor points are copies of the metadata for selected data elements.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein processing rules define the order of selecting data elements for processing.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the processing controls include sequential processing in priority order.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the processing controls include indexed processing following specific tree structures first.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the processing controls include parallel processing.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein parallel processing includes a separate instance of processing for each data element found processed simultaneously.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein parallel processing includes a separate instance of processing for each data element found processed concurrently.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein management information comprises a pointer to the location where rules are stored.

15. The method of 1, wherein processing rules define controls for processing management information for each data element.

22. A self-defining data element for enhanced data management and recovery, comprising:

a data portion; and

a metadata portion,

wherein the metadata includes management information including management rules and processing rules and one or more anchor points to begin selected analysis processes.

23. The self-defining data element of claim 22, wherein the management information comprises a time stamp.

24. The self-defining data element of claim 22, wherein the management information comprises a management rule.

25. The self-defining data element of claim 24, wherein the management rule comprises one of performance criteria, reliability criteria, availability criteria, and capacity criteria.

26. The self-defining data element of claim 22, wherein the management information comprises a pointer to a management rule.

27. The self-defining data element of claim 22, wherein the management information comprises a sequencing rule.

28. The self-defining data element of claim 27, wherein the sequencing rule comprises one of a logical rule, a time rule, and a structure rule.

29. The self-defining data element of claim 22, wherein the management information comprises a pointer to a sequencing rule.

30. The self-defining data element of claim 22, wherein the management information comprises a management function for accomplishing management rules.