Patent ID: 7765177
Filing Date: 2010-07-27
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A computer implemented method for archiving files in a computer system, comprising: providing a hierarchical file system having directories in a computer readable storage medium; associating an archival retention policy with at least one of the directories in the hierarchical file system by including a description of the retention policy in a name of the at least one directory, wherein the retention policy indicated in the name of the directory applies to files included in the associated directory, and wherein the retention policy specifies a retention time indicating a time period during which a file is subject to the retention policy; receiving a request directed to a target file; determining whether the target file is included within the directory including a description of the retention policy in the name of the directory; determining whether the retention time of the retention policy indicates that the target file is currently subject to retention in response to determining that the target file is included within the directory whose name includes the description of the retention policy; applying the retention policy to the target file if the target file is currently subject to the retention policy; and determining whether the target file is included within the directory whose name includes a description of an unlimited retention that is a subdirectory of the directory associated with the retention policy, wherein the received request directed to the target file is not allowed to proceed if the target file is also included within one directory whose name includes the description of the unlimited retention even if the target file is not currently subject to the retention policy.