Patent US6178429B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6178429B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mechanism for ensuring SCM database consistency on multi-part operation boundaries
Assignee: Cisco Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1997-11-26
•
Granted: 2001-01-23
•
Expires: 2017-11-26
Abstract
Abstract A mechanism for guaranteeing a coherent repository, including a list of requested files that are to be committed to the repository or to be processed (e.g. read) by an operation, and a list of “protected” files that are currently being processed. Either all of or none of the requested files are committed or are processed. Therefore, if any one of the requested files is in the protected-files list, then the invention waits until none of the requested files is protected before committing the requested files to the repository or before processing the requested files. An abnormal operation may hold up the protected files in the protected-files list for an unreasonably-long period of time. The invention thus provides an alarm mechanism, which scans the protected-files list to detect whether an abnormal operation exists. If such an operation is found, then the invention alerts an alarm agent and replaces the inconsistent files caused by the abnormal operation. The invention uses an atomic operation to change the requested-files list to a prenatal-file list, then to the protected-files list, and finally to a deceased-files list.
Inventors
- 👤 Scott Cherf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:41
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/10; G06F16/17; G06F16/176; G06F16/1767; G06F16/1774; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99939; Y10S707/99951; Y10S707/99952; Y10S707/99953; Y10S707/99956
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for processing coherent files in a multi-part operation, comprising the steps of: maintaining a protected-files list of the names of files that are currently being processed; creating a requested-files list of the names of files to be processed in an operation; comparing the requested-files list to the protected-files list; adding the requested-files list to the protected-files list using an atomic operation when none of the names of the requested files is in the protected-files list; performing the multi-part operation; and removing the names of the requested files from the protected-files list when the operation is complete.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for processing coherent files in a multi-part operation, comprising the steps of: maintaining a protected-files list of the names of files that are currently being processed; creating a requested-files list of the names of files to be processed in an operation; comparing the requested-files list to the protected-files list; adding the requested-files list to the protected-files list using an atomic operation when none of the names of the requested files is in the protected-files list; performing the multi-part operation; and removing the names of the requested files from the protected-files list when the operation is complete.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the requested-files list is a directory containing the names of the requested files.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the step of adding includes renaming the directory.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of creating uses virtual pointers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of creating includes adding the name of a file and corresponding version information.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the step of comparing compares the names and version information of the protected files and of the requested files.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of comparing compares the names of the requested and the protected files.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of creating uses the names of files in a change set.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of removing is an atomic operation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the protected-files list is derived from a prenatal-files list.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the protected-files list becomes a deceased-files list.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the requested-files list becomes a prenatal-files list.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the prenatal-files list becomes a protected-files list corresponding to the requested-files list.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the protected-files list corresponding to the requested-files list becomes a deceased-files list.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for reading coherent files in a multi-part operation, comprising the steps of: maintaining a protected-files list of the names of files that are currently being processed; renaming the protected-files list to a deceased-files list after the protected files are no longer processed; creating a requested-files list of the names of files to be read from a repository; comparing the requested-files list to the protected-files list until none of the names of the requested files is in the protected-files list; and allowing the requested files to be read from the repository.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for reading coherent files in a multi-part operation, comprising the steps of: maintaining a protected-files list of the names of files that are currently being processed; renaming the protected-files list to a deceased-files list after the protected files are no longer processed; creating a requested-files list of the names of files to be read from a repository; comparing the requested-files list to the protected-files list until none of the names of the requested files is in the protected-files list; and allowing the requested files to be read from the repository.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the step of creating includes adding the name of the file requested and corresponding version information.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the step of comparing compares the file names of the requested-files list with the protected-files list.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the step of comparing compares version information of the requested-files list with the protected-files list.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the step of creating uses the names of files in a change set.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the protected-files list is renamed by an atomic operation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the step of maintaining includes the step of renaming a prenatal-files list to the protected-files list.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the step of renaming is an atomic operation.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 21 wherein each one of the prenatal-files list, the protected-files list, and the deceased-files list is a file directory.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the deceased-files list is retained as an audit file for providing a record of files requested.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for detecting and recovering from a repository inconsistency, comprising the steps of: scanning a protected-files list and thereby detecting an abnormal operation associated with files in the protected-files list; alerting a system agent if the abnormal operation is found; replacing any inconsistent files caused by the abnormal operation; and removing a list of files that includes the any inconsistent files from the protected-files list.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for detecting and recovering from a repository inconsistency, comprising the steps of: scanning a protected-files list and thereby detecting an abnormal operation associated with files in the protected-files list; alerting a system agent if the abnormal operation is found; replacing any inconsistent files caused by the abnormal operation; and removing a list of files that includes the any inconsistent files from the protected-files list.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the step of scanning includes scanning the times the files were initially placed on the protected-files list.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the step of replacing includes restoring on the protected-files list the names of replaced files.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the step of alerting includes sending information about the abnormal operation.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the step of restoring includes getting confirmation from a user.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the abnormal operation is selected from a group consisting of a failed operation, a stalled operations, and an operation that has exceeded its allotted time.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the protected-files list is derived from a prenatal-files list.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the protected-files list becomes a deceased-files list.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
72 words
A processing system for multi-part operations, comprising: a protected-files list of names of files currently being processed; a requested-files list of names of files that will be processed in an operation; means for comparing the requested-files list with the protected-files list; means for adding the requested-files list to the protected-files list in an atomic operation; and means for removing the requested-files list from the protected-files list when the multi-part operation is complete.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
72 words
A processing system for multi-part operations, comprising: a protected-files list of names of files currently being processed; a requested-files list of names of files that will be processed in an operation; means for comparing the requested-files list with the protected-files list; means for adding the requested-files list to the protected-files list in an atomic operation; and means for removing the requested-files list from the protected-files list when the multi-part operation is complete.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 33 wherein the means for comparing is capable of comparing file names.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 33 wherein the means for comparing is capable of comparing version numbers.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 33 wherein the requested-files list is a change set.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 33 wherein the requested-files list and the protected-files list are each a directory tree.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 33 wherein the means for comparing is capable of comparing names and version numbers.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 33 wherein the requested-files list contains a version number of each of the requested files.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
77 words
A computer-based storage medium storing code for causing a computer to perform the steps of: receiving an operation request including a requested-files list of the names of requested files to be operated upon; comparing the requested-files list to a protected-files list; adding the requested-files list to the protected-files list when none of the requested files is in the protected-files list; processing the operation; and removing names of files from the protected-files list once the operation is complete.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
77 words
A computer-based storage medium storing code for causing a computer to perform the steps of: receiving an operation request including a requested-files list of the names of requested files to be operated upon; comparing the requested-files list to a protected-files list; adding the requested-files list to the protected-files list when none of the requested files is in the protected-files list; processing the operation; and removing names of files from the protected-files list once the operation is complete.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 40 wherein the requested-files list constitutes a directory.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 41 wherein the step of adding includes renaming said directory.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 40 wherein the step of receiving receives virtual pointers referencing the requested-files list.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 40 further comprising the step of adding the names of the requested files and corresponding version information to a previously existing requested-files list.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 40 further comprising the step of adding names of the requested files from a predefined change set.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 40 wherein the step of comparing compares the file names and version information of the requested-files list with the protected-files list.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 40 wherein the step of removing is an atomic operation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5421012A
Cited
US5093912A
Cited
US5564051A
Cited
US5163147A
Cited
US5305448A
Cited
US5619691A
Cited
US5608898A
Cited
US5604900A
Cited
US5452448A
Cited
US5742830A
Cited
US5463754A
Cited
US5692194A
Cited
US5623662A
Cited
US5584023A
Cited
US5835911A
Cited
US5873103A
Cited
US5832522A
Cited
US5835601A
Cited
US5778365A
Cited
US5513351A
Cited
US5701457A
Cited
US5749077A
Cited
US5708780A
Cited
US5799141A
Cited
US5826253A
Cited
US5832512A
Cited
US5895461A
Cited
US5727206A
Cited
US5924098A
Cited
US6021415A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-01-23 | 2004-07-24 | 2005-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-23 | 2008-07-24 | 2009-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-23 | 2012-07-24 | 2013-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |