Patent US6058400A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6058400A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Highly available cluster coherent filesystem
Assignee: Oracle America Inc
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Filing: 1998-04-28
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Granted: 2000-05-02
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Expires: 2018-04-28
Abstract
Abstract A distributed filesystem operating on a distributed computing system uses existing local filesystems as building blocks. A cluster filesystem layer is added above the local filesystems to handle functions necessary for a distributed filesystem, such as data coherency. A meta-data stub is developed to flush meta-data from the local filesystem to a storage device. In one embodiment, the meta-data stub is a copy of the flush portion of the meta-data portion of a local filesystem. Additionally, the distributed filesystem supports a plurality of coherency algorithms and variable granularity. A user may select the coherency algorithm that best suits the computer system and granularity that best suits the access patterns of the computer system.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory L. Slaughter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:38
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99932; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99934; Y10S707/99935; Y10S707/99951; Y10S707/99952; Y10S707/99953
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A distributed filesystem configured to operate on a distributed computing system that includes a first node, a second node and a storage device, wherein said distributed filesystem comprises: a first local filesystem configured to operate on said first node and a second local filesystem configured to operate on said second node, wherein said first and second local filesystems are non-distributed filesystems; a first meta-data stub configured to flush meta-data of said first local filesystem to said storage device; and a cluster filesystem layer configured to interface to said first local filesystem, said second local filesystem and said first meta-data stub and configured to request said first meta-data stub to flush said meta-data to said storage device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A distributed filesystem configured to operate on a distributed computing system that includes a first node, a second node and a storage device, wherein said distributed filesystem comprises: a first local filesystem configured to operate on said first node and a second local filesystem configured to operate on said second node, wherein said first and second local filesystems are non-distributed filesystems; a first meta-data stub configured to flush meta-data of said first local filesystem to said storage device; and a cluster filesystem layer configured to interface to said first local filesystem, said second local filesystem and said first meta-data stub and configured to request said first meta-data stub to flush said meta-data to said storage device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The distributed filesystem of claim 1 wherein said first local filesystem includes a meta-data portion, wherein said first meta-data stub includes a copy of a flush portion of said meta-data portion of said first local filesystem.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The distributed filesystem of claim 1 further comprising a second meta-data stub configured to flush meta-data of said second local filesystem to said storage device, wherein said cluster filesystem layer is further configured to interface to said second meta-data stub and configured to request said second meta-data stub to flush said meta-data of said second local filesystem to said storage device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The distributed filesystem of claim 3 further comprising a third node, a third local filesystem and a third meta-data stub, wherein said cluster filesystem layer is further configured to interface to third local filesystem and said third meta-data stub and configured to request said third meta-data stub to flush meta-data of said third local filesystem to said storage device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The distributed filesystem of claim 1 wherein said distributed filesystem is configured to implement a first coherency algorithm or a second coherency algorithm in dependence upon an input to said distributed filesystem.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The distributed filesystem of claim 1 wherein a granularity of a coherency algorithm is defined by an input to said distributed filesystem.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The distributed filesystem of claim 1 wherein said local filesystems are off-the-shelf filesystems.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
136 words
A distributed computing system comprising: a first node, a second node, a storage device and a data communication link coupled between said first node and said second node; and a distributed filesystem configured to operate on said distributed computing system, wherein said distributed filesystem includes: a first local filesystem configured to operate on said first node and a second local filesystem configured to operate on said second node, wherein said first and second local filesystems are non-distributed filesystems; a first meta-data stub configured to flush meta-data of said first local filesystem to said storage device; and a cluster filesystem layer configured to interface to said first local filesystem, said second local filesystem and said first meta-data stub and configured to output a command to said first meta-data stub to flush said meta-data to said storage device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
136 words
A distributed computing system comprising: a first node, a second node, a storage device and a data communication link coupled between said first node and said second node; and a distributed filesystem configured to operate on said distributed computing system, wherein said distributed filesystem includes: a first local filesystem configured to operate on said first node and a second local filesystem configured to operate on said second node, wherein said first and second local filesystems are non-distributed filesystems; a first meta-data stub configured to flush meta-data of said first local filesystem to said storage device; and a cluster filesystem layer configured to interface to said first local filesystem, said second local filesystem and said first meta-data stub and configured to output a command to said first meta-data stub to flush said meta-data to said storage device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The distributed computing system of claim 8 wherein said first local filesystem includes a meta-data portion, wherein said first meta-data stub is a copy of a flush portion of said meta-data portion of said first local filesystem.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The distributed computing system of claim 8 further comprising a second meta-data stub configured to flush meta-data of said second local filesystem to said storage device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The distributed computing system of claim 10 further comprising a third node, a third local filesystem and a third meta-data stub.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The distributed computing system of claim 8 wherein said distributed filesystem is configured to implement a first coherency algorithm or a second coherency algorithm in dependence upon an input to said distributed filesystem.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The distributed computing system of claim 8 wherein a granularity of a coherency algorithm is defined by an input to said distributed filesystem.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The distributed computing system of claim 8 wherein said local filesystems are off-the-shelf filesystems.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of maintaining coherency in a distributed computing system that includes a first node and a second node operating a cluster filesystem, and a storage device, wherein said cluster filesystem includes a first local filesystem, a first cluster filesystem layer that interfaces to said first local filesystem, a second local filesystem, and a second cluster filesystem layer that interfaces to said first cluster filesystem layer and said second cluster filesystem, said method comprising: developing a first meta-data stub to flush meta-data of said first node to a storage device; said first node receiving a coherency request from said second node; said first local filesystem of said first node flushing actual data to said storage device; and said first meta-data stub of said first node flushing meta-data to said storage device.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of maintaining coherency in a distributed computing system that includes a first node and a second node operating a cluster filesystem, and a storage device, wherein said cluster filesystem includes a first local filesystem, a first cluster filesystem layer that interfaces to said first local filesystem, a second local filesystem, and a second cluster filesystem layer that interfaces to said first cluster filesystem layer and said second cluster filesystem, said method comprising: developing a first meta-data stub to flush meta-data of said first node to a storage device; said first node receiving a coherency request from said second node; said first local filesystem of said first node flushing actual data to said storage device; and said first meta-data stub of said first node flushing meta-data to said storage device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of maintaining coherency of claim 15 further comprising said second node reading said data from said storage device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of maintaining coherency of claim 15 wherein said meta-data stub includes a copy of a meta-data flush portion of said first local filesystem.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of maintaining coherency of claim 15 wherein said cluster filesystem is configured to implement either a first coherency algorithm or a second coherency algorithm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of maintaining coherency of claim 15 wherein a granularity of a coherency algorithm is variable.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
115 words
A computer-readable storage medium comprising program instructions for maintaining coherency in a distributed computing system that includes a storage device, wherein said program instructions execute on a first node or a second node of said distributed computing system and said program instructions are operable to implement the steps of: receiving a coherency request; flushing actual data to said storage device, wherein said program instructions that implement said step of flushing actual data are part of a local filesystem; and flushing meta-data to said storage device, wherein said program instructions that implement said step of flushing meta-data are part of a meta-data stub that includes data copied from a flush meta-data portion of said local filesystem.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
115 words
A computer-readable storage medium comprising program instructions for maintaining coherency in a distributed computing system that includes a storage device, wherein said program instructions execute on a first node or a second node of said distributed computing system and said program instructions are operable to implement the steps of: receiving a coherency request; flushing actual data to said storage device, wherein said program instructions that implement said step of flushing actual data are part of a local filesystem; and flushing meta-data to said storage device, wherein said program instructions that implement said step of flushing meta-data are part of a meta-data stub that includes data copied from a flush meta-data portion of said local filesystem.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The medium of claim 20 further comprising program instructions that read said data flushed to said storage medium.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The medium of claim 20 further comprising program instructions operable to implement either a first coherency algorithm or a second coherency algorithm.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The medium of claim 20 further comprising program instructions operable to receive an input selecting a coherency algorithm.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The medium of claim 20 further comprising program instructions operable to vary a granularity of a coherency algorithm.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The medium of claim 24 further comprising program instructions operable to receive an input selecting said granularity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-05-02 | 2003-11-01 | 2004-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-02 | 2007-11-01 | 2008-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-02 | 2011-11-01 | 2012-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |