Reducing data storage requirements on mail servers by storing a shared copy of a message
First Claim
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1. A method for reducing data storage requirements of a mail server, the method comprising:
- determining, for an incoming email message having a certain size, a size of the incoming email message, wherein the incoming email message is addressed to multiple recipients;
determining a selected recipient count for recipients of the incoming email message, the selected recipient count indicating how many of the recipients have mailboxes on the mail server;
calculating a total amount of storage for storing copies of the incoming email message in each one of the recipient'"'"'s mailboxes on the mail server, the calculating being a function of the size of the incoming email message and the selected recipient count;
comparing the calculated total amount of storage to a predetermined limit; and
selecting between i) storing copies of the incoming email message in mailboxes of the multiple recipients, such that multiple copies of the incoming email message are stored on the mail server in the mailboxes of the multiple recipients, and ii) storing for the mailboxes of the multiple recipients, and sharing among the mailboxes of the multiple recipients, only a single copy of the incoming email message on the mail server as a shared incoming email message for the mailboxes of the multiple recipients, wherein the selecting is responsive to the comparing.
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Abstract
A mail server detects if an incoming message is addressed to multiple recipients, in which case redundant data storage is reduced. A single shared copy of the message is stored, and a reference message, which refers to the shared message, is provided to the addressed recipients. A record of the number of existing reference messages is maintained, and decremented as each reference message is deleted by recipients. When no reference messages remain, the shared message is also deleted. A record of recipients authorized to access the shared message is also maintained, and updated as recipients delete their reference messages.
61 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for reducing data storage requirements of a mail server, the method comprising:
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determining, for an incoming email message having a certain size, a size of the incoming email message, wherein the incoming email message is addressed to multiple recipients; determining a selected recipient count for recipients of the incoming email message, the selected recipient count indicating how many of the recipients have mailboxes on the mail server; calculating a total amount of storage for storing copies of the incoming email message in each one of the recipient'"'"'s mailboxes on the mail server, the calculating being a function of the size of the incoming email message and the selected recipient count; comparing the calculated total amount of storage to a predetermined limit; and selecting between i) storing copies of the incoming email message in mailboxes of the multiple recipients, such that multiple copies of the incoming email message are stored on the mail server in the mailboxes of the multiple recipients, and ii) storing for the mailboxes of the multiple recipients, and sharing among the mailboxes of the multiple recipients, only a single copy of the incoming email message on the mail server as a shared incoming email message for the mailboxes of the multiple recipients, wherein the selecting is responsive to the comparing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A computer program product, stored on a computer storage medium, for reducing data storage requirements of a mail server, the computer program product having instructions for execution by a computer, wherein the instructions, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to implement a method comprising:
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determining, for an incoming email message having a certain size, the size of the incoming email message, wherein the incoming email message is addressed to multiple recipients; determining a selected recipient count for recipients of the incoming email message, the selected recipient count indicating how many of the recipients have mailboxes on the mail server; calculating a total amount of storage for storing copies of the incoming email message in each one of the recipient'"'"'s mailboxes on the mail server, the calculating being a function of the size of the incoming email message and the selected recipient count; comparing the calculated total amount of storage to a predetermined limit; and selecting between i) storing copies of the incoming email message in mailboxes of the multiple recipients, such that multiple copies of the incoming email message are stored on the mail server in the mailboxes of the multiple recipients, and ii) storing for the mailboxes of the multiple recipients, and sharing among the mailboxes of the multiple recipients, only a single copy of the incoming email message on the mail server as a shared incoming email message for the mailboxes of the multiple recipients, wherein the selecting is responsive to the comparing. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer system comprising:
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a processor; and a storage device connected to the processor, wherein the storage device has stored thereon data storage reducing program for controlling the processor, and wherein the processor is operative to execute instructions of the program to implement a method comprising; determining, for an incoming email message having a certain size, the size of the incoming email message, wherein the incoming email message is addressed to multiple recipients; determining a selected recipient count for recipients of the incoming email message, the selected recipient count indicating how many of the recipients have mailboxes on the mail server; calculating a total amount of storage for storing copies of the incoming email message in each one of the recipient'"'"'s mailboxes on the mail server, the calculating being a function of the size of the incoming email message and the selected recipient count; comparing the calculated total amount of storage to a predetermined limit; and selecting between i) storing copies of the incoming email message in mailboxes of the multiple recipients, such that multiple copies of the incoming email message are stored on the mail server in the mailboxes of the multiple recipients, and ii) storing for the mailboxes of the multiple recipients, and sharing among the mailboxes of the multiple recipients, only a single copy of the incoming message on the mail server as a shared incoming email message for the mailboxes of the multiple recipients, wherein the selecting is responsive to the comparing. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification