Patent US5765151A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5765151A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System and method for file system fix-on-panic for a computer operating system
Assignee: Oracle America Inc
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Filing: 1995-08-17
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Granted: 1998-06-09
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Expires: 2015-08-17
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for file system fix-on-panic for a computer operating system which comprises an enhancement to the UNIX® File System ("UFS") that increases total system availability by detecting file system errors and determining whether on-line repair is possible and then locking, repairing and unlocking the failed file system. Availability of the entire computer system is increased since the mean time to failure for independent threads is increased by the amount of time up to the next failure and the mean time to repair for dependent threads is reduced to only the amount of time necessary for the repair. The system and method disclosed allows for repairs to be made during use, may be called from the user level and allows for blocking of only particular threads.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven T. Senator
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 13:17
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/14; G06F11/1402; G06F11/1415; G06F11/1435
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for selectably error locking a failed file system of a computer operating system, said method comprising the steps of: providing for detecting an error in a failed file system of said computer operating system; providing for determining if on-line repair of said failed file system is possible; providing for locking said failed file system if said on-line repair is possible; providing for effectuating said on-line repair of said failed file system; and providing for unlocking said failed file system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for selectably error locking a failed file system of a computer operating system, said method comprising the steps of: providing for detecting an error in a failed file system of said computer operating system; providing for determining if on-line repair of said failed file system is possible; providing for locking said failed file system if said on-line repair is possible; providing for effectuating said on-line repair of said failed file system; and providing for unlocking said failed file system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of providing for detecting is carried out by the steps of: providing for noting an inconsistency in said failed file system; providing for creating a failure record corresponding to said failed file system inconsistency; and providing for placing said failure record on an operating system lock thread.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said inconsistency is noted in response to an operating system failed thread.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of providing for locking further comprises the step of: providing for marking blocks of data associated with said failed file system as inaccessible on an associated computer mass storage device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said operating system is shut down in response to said step of providing for determining if said on-line repair of said failed file system is not possible.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: providing for allowing other threads corresponding to other operating system file systems to continue while said failed file system is locked.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
147 words
A computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for causing selectably error locking of a failed file system of a computer operating system, the computer program product comprising: computer readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to effect detection of an error in a failed file system of said computer operating system; computer readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to effect determination if on-line repair of said failed file system is possible; computer readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to effect locking of said failed file system if said on-line repair is possible; computer readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to effect said on-line repair of said failed file system; and computer readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to effect unlocking of said failed file system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
147 words
A computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for causing selectably error locking of a failed file system of a computer operating system, the computer program product comprising: computer readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to effect detection of an error in a failed file system of said computer operating system; computer readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to effect determination if on-line repair of said failed file system is possible; computer readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to effect locking of said failed file system if said on-line repair is possible; computer readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to effect said on-line repair of said failed file system; and computer readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to effect unlocking of said failed file system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
94 words
The computer program product of claim 7 wherein said computer readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to effect detection of an error further comprise: computer readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to effect noting of an inconsistency in said failed file system; computer readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to effect creating a failure record corresponding to said failed file system inconsistency; and computer readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to effect placing said failure record on an operating system lock thread.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
The computer program product of claim 7 wherein said computer readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to effect locking further comprises: computer readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to effect marking blocks of data associated with said failed file system as inaccessible on an associated computer mass storage device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The computer program product of claim 7 further comprising: computer readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to effect shutting down of said operating system in response to a determination that said on-line repair of said failed file system is not possible.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The computer program product of claim 7 further comprising: computer readable program code devices configured to cause a computer to effect allowing other threads corresponding to other operating system file systems to continue while said failed file system is locked.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
128 words
A computer including a computer operating system loadable thereon for running application programs, said operating system having a plurality of file systems incorporated therein accessible from said application programs, said operating system comprising: a failed thread for indicating an error in a failed one of said plurality of file systems; a lock thread started in response to said failed thread; an error lock responsive to said lock thread for selectably locking said failed file system if on-line repair thereof is possible; a block responsive to said error lock for inhibiting other threads from accessing said failed one of said plurality of file systems while on-line repair thereof is being effectuated whereby said block is removed in response to effectuation of said on-line repair of said failed file system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
128 words
A computer including a computer operating system loadable thereon for running application programs, said operating system having a plurality of file systems incorporated therein accessible from said application programs, said operating system comprising: a failed thread for indicating an error in a failed one of said plurality of file systems; a lock thread started in response to said failed thread; an error lock responsive to said lock thread for selectably locking said failed file system if on-line repair thereof is possible; a block responsive to said error lock for inhibiting other threads from accessing said failed one of said plurality of file systems while on-line repair thereof is being effectuated whereby said block is removed in response to effectuation of said on-line repair of said failed file system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The computer of claim 12 wherein said operating system comprises: a user layer for interfacing said operating system to said application programs; a kernel layer underlying said user layer; and a file system layer underlying said kernel layer and defining a file system interface therebetween.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer of claim 13 wherein said file system layer comprises a UNIX file system layer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer of claim 13 wherein said file system interface comprises a VFS layer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer of claim 12 wherein said block is implemented at said file system interface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer of claim 12 further comprising: a computer mass storage device associated with said computer for storing blocks of data associated with said plurality of file systems.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer of claim 17 wherein selected blocks of data on said computer mass storage device associated with said failed file system are marked as inaccessible in response to said lock thread.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-06-08 | 2001-12-08 | 2002-06-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-08 | 2005-12-08 | 2006-06-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-08 | 2009-12-08 | 2010-06-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |