EP0405859A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Data storage device for a digital data processing system
Assignee: Digital Equipment Corp
•
Filing: 1990-06-22
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Granted: —
•
Expires: 2010-06-22
Abstract
Abstract The invention generally features a write history log that is used in the preferred embodiment to perform a management operation, such as a merge operation, on a shadow set. The preferred embodiment features a method of managing a shadow set of storage media accessible by one or more data sources, comprising the steps of: A. maintaining a log of information relating to locations within the shadow set storage media to which data is written from at least one of the data sources, and B. carrying out a management operation by: a. accessing the log to determine information relating to one or more of the locations to which data has been written, and b. carrying out the management operation with respect to the one or more locations, based on the results of the step of accessing the log. In the preferred embodiment, the information comprises the addresses of the locations to which the data was written and an identification of the source or sources from which data was written. The management operation is carried out with respect to locations selected on the basis of the source from which data was written. The information is stored in the log for data written to the shadow set over a predetermined period of time. The information in the log relates to locations within the storage media to which data was written from a plurality of sources.
Inventors
- 👤 Scott H. Davis
- 👤 William L. Goleman
- 👤 David W. Thiel
- 👤 Robert G. Bean
- 👤 James A. Zahrobsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:37
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/16; G06F11/20; G06F11/2053; G06F11/2056; G06F11/2082; G06F11/2064; G06F11/2071
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 68
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of managing a shadow set of storage media accessible by a plurality of data sources, comprising the steps of: A. maintaining a log of information relating to locations within said storage media to which data is written from a said source, and B. carrying out a management operation by: a. accessing said log to determine information relating to one or more said locations, and b. carrying out said operation with respect to said one or more locations, based on the results of said accessing step.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of managing a shadow set of storage media accessible by a plurality of data sources, comprising the steps of: A. maintaining a log of information relating to locations within said storage media to which data is written from a said source, and B. carrying out a management operation by: a. accessing said log to determine information relating to one or more said locations, and b. carrying out said operation with respect to said one or more locations, based on the results of said accessing step.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said information comprises the addresses of said locations.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said information further comprises identification of the source or sources from which data is written to said locations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said management operation is carried out with respect to locations selected on the basis of the source from which data was written.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said information is stored in said log for data written to said shadow set over a predetermined period of time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 5 wherein successive said management operations are carried out, said predetermined period of time being equal to the time between two of said management operations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said management operation comprises modifying data in said one or more locations of one of said storage media such that said data is consistent with data stored in a corresponding section of another of said storage media.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of managing data stored in one or more storage medium, the storage media receiving write commands from one or more data sources, said method comprising the steps of: A. maintaining a log of information associated with one or more received write commands, comprising the steps of: 1. receiving a write command from a data source, said received write command including data; 2. writing said data in a section of one of said storage media; and 3. writing address information in said log, said address information indicating the location of said section, said log being located in a section of a storage media that is independent of the data source from which said data was received; and B. implementing a management operation on data stored in one of said storage media, said management operation utilizing said address information stored in said log.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of managing data stored in one or more storage medium, the storage media receiving write commands from one or more data sources, said method comprising the steps of: A. maintaining a log of information associated with one or more received write commands, comprising the steps of: 1. receiving a write command from a data source, said received write command including data; 2. writing said data in a section of one of said storage media; and 3. writing address information in said log, said address information indicating the location of said section, said log being located in a section of a storage media that is independent of the data source from which said data was received; and B. implementing a management operation on data stored in one of said storage media, said management operation utilizing said address information stored in said log.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said independent section of a storage medium is in a storage device that includes one of said storage media.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 8 wherein one or more of said write commands comprises information identifying its respective data source, said step of writing further comprising writing said identifying information.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said data source is a host processor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said address information is stored for data written over a predetermined period of time .
Claim 15
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of writing data to a storage medium such that the section of said storage medium to which data has been written can be determined from a source other than the source from which the data was sent, said method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting a write command from a data source to said storage medium, said write command comprising data; (b) writing said data in a section of said storage medium; and (c) storing address information identifying said section of said storage medium, in a section of a storage medium that is independent of said data source.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of writing data to a storage medium such that the section of said storage medium to which data has been written can be determined from a source other than the source from which the data was sent, said method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting a write command from a data source to said storage medium, said write command comprising data; (b) writing said data in a section of said storage medium; and (c) storing address information identifying said section of said storage medium, in a section of a storage medium that is independent of said data source.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said independent section of a storage medium is in a storage device that includes said storage medium.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said write command comprises information identifying said data source, said step of storing further comprising storing said identifying information.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said data source is a host processor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said stored address information is stored for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus for managing a shadow set of storage media accessible by a plurality of data sources, comprising: means for maintaining a log of information relating to locations within said storage media to which data is written from a said source, and means for carrying out a management operation by: a. accessing said log to determine information relating to one or more said locations, and b. carrying out said operation with respect to said one or more locations, based on the results of said accessing step.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus for managing a shadow set of storage media accessible by a plurality of data sources, comprising: means for maintaining a log of information relating to locations within said storage media to which data is written from a said source, and means for carrying out a management operation by: a. accessing said log to determine information relating to one or more said locations, and b. carrying out said operation with respect to said one or more locations, based on the results of said accessing step.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
128 words
A data management program for controlling one or more processors in a digital computer, the digital computer processing at least one process which enables said processors to manage a shadow set of storage media accessible by a plurality of data sources, said program comprising: a maintenance module for enabling one of said processors to maintain a log of information relating to locations within said storage media to which data is written from a said source, and a management module for enabling one of said processors to carry out a management operation by: a. accessing said log to determine information relating to one or more said locations, and b. carrying out said operation with respect to said one or more locations, based on the results of said accessing step.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
128 words
A data management program for controlling one or more processors in a digital computer, the digital computer processing at least one process which enables said processors to manage a shadow set of storage media accessible by a plurality of data sources, said program comprising: a maintenance module for enabling one of said processors to maintain a log of information relating to locations within said storage media to which data is written from a said source, and a management module for enabling one of said processors to carry out a management operation by: a. accessing said log to determine information relating to one or more said locations, and b. carrying out said operation with respect to said one or more locations, based on the results of said accessing step.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said log of information is stored in a section of a storage medium that is independent of at least one of said data sources.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said section of a storage medium is independent of each of said data sources.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said independent section of a storage medium is in a storage device that includes one of said storage media.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said storage media comprise a shadow set of storage media.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said management operation is carried out with respect to locations selected on the basis of said identifying information.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 12 wherein successive said management operations are carried out, said predetermined period of time being equal to the time between two of said management operations.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said management operation comprises modifying data in a section of said one of said storage media such that said data is consistent with data stored in a corresponding section of another of said storage media.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said storage medium comprises one member of a shadow set of storage media.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said address information stored in step c is used to perform a management operation on said storage medium.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said address information stored in step c and said identifying information are used to perform a management operation on said storage medium.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 28 wherein successive said management operations are carried out, said address information being stored for a period of time equal to the time between two of said management operations.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said information comprises the addresses of said locations.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said information comprises identification of the source or sources from which data is written to said locations.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said management operation is carried out with respect to locations selected on the basis of the source from which data was written.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said information is stored in said log for data written to said shadow set over a predetermined period of time.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 34 wherein successive said management operations are carried out, said predetermined period of time being equal to the time between two of said management operations.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said management operation comprises modifying data in said one or more locations of one of said storage media such that said data is consistent with data stored in a corresponding section of another of said storage media.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said log of information is stored in a section of a storage medium that is independent of at least one of said data sources.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said section of a storage medium is independent of each of said data sources.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said independent section of a storage medium is in a storage device that includes one of said storage media.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
146 words
An apparatus for managing data stored in one or more storage media, the storage media receiving write commands from one or more data sources, said apparatus comprising: means for maintaining a log of information associated with one or more received write commands, said means for maintaining comprising: means for receiving a write command from a data source, said received write command including data; means for writing said data in a section of one of said storage media; and means for writing address information in said log, said address information indicating the location of said section, said log being located in a section of a storage medium that is independent of the data source from which said data was received; and means for implementing a management operation on data stored in one of said storage media, said management operation utilizing said address information stored in said log.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
146 words
An apparatus for managing data stored in one or more storage media, the storage media receiving write commands from one or more data sources, said apparatus comprising: means for maintaining a log of information associated with one or more received write commands, said means for maintaining comprising: means for receiving a write command from a data source, said received write command including data; means for writing said data in a section of one of said storage media; and means for writing address information in said log, said address information indicating the location of said section, said log being located in a section of a storage medium that is independent of the data source from which said data was received; and means for implementing a management operation on data stored in one of said storage media, said management operation utilizing said address information stored in said log.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said independent section of a storage medium is in a storage device that includes one of said storage media.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein one or more of said write commands comprises information identifying its respective data source, said step of writing further comprising writing said identifying information.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said storage media comprise a shadow set of storage media.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said management operation comprises modifying data in a section of said one of said storage media such that said data is consistent with data stored in a corresponding section of another of said storage media.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
69 words
An apparatus for maintaining a log of information relating to data written to a storage medium from one or more data sources, said apparatus comprising: means for receiving a write command from a said data source, said write command comprising data; means for writing said data in a section of said storage medium; and means for storing address information identifying said section of said storage medium in said log.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
69 words
An apparatus for maintaining a log of information relating to data written to a storage medium from one or more data sources, said apparatus comprising: means for receiving a write command from a said data source, said write command comprising data; means for writing said data in a section of said storage medium; and means for storing address information identifying said section of said storage medium in said log.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 45 wherein said means for storing comprises a section of a storage medium that is in a storage device that includes said storage medium to which said data is written.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 45 wherein said write command comprises information identifying said data source, said apparatus further comprising means for storing said identifying information in said log.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
69 words
An apparatus for managing a storage medium accessible by a plurality of data sources, comprising: means for maintaining a log of information relating to locations within said storage medium to which data is written from a said source, means for receiving a request for information relating to said locations, means for accessing information in said log in response to said received request, and means for outputting said accessed information.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
69 words
An apparatus for managing a storage medium accessible by a plurality of data sources, comprising: means for maintaining a log of information relating to locations within said storage medium to which data is written from a said source, means for receiving a request for information relating to said locations, means for accessing information in said log in response to said received request, and means for outputting said accessed information.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 48 wherein said information comprises the addresses of said locations.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 48 wherein said information comprises identification of the source or sources from which data is written to said locations.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 50 wherein said request identifies specific data sources and said means for accessing accesses information in said log that relates to said identified sources.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 48 wherein said information is stored in said log for data written to said storage medium over a predetermined period of time.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 34 wherein successive said requests for information are received, said predetermined period of time being equal to the time between two of said requests.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 48 wherein said information is output for receipt by a processor supporting one of said data sources.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 48 wherein said log of information is stored in a second storage medium that is independent of at least one of said data sources.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 55 wherein said second storage medium is independent of each of said data sources.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 55 wherein said second storage medium is in a storage device that includes said first storage medium.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 48 wherein said means for maintaining said log comprises storing an entry in said log that corresponds to each write request received from a said data source.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 58 wherein each of said entries comprises information identifying the data source that originated the corresponding write request.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 59 wherein each of said entries identifies a section of said storage medium to which data contained in the corresponding write request was stored.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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