Patent ID: 8165996
Filing Date: 2012-04-24
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for use in a redundant array of independent nodes networked together, wherein each node executes an instance of an application that provides object-based storage, comprising: a processor; computer memory holding computer program instructions that, when executed by the processor, perform a method comprising: as given fixed content data is written to a given node, generating a data object that encapsulates the given fixed content data together with metadata that includes policy data; storing the data object; enforcing a set of policies against the policy data in the data object's metadata during a life cycle of the data object, the set of policies including one of: a data protection policy, an authentication policy, a retention policy, a cluster balance policy, a garbage collection policy, a scavenger policy, and a duplicate elimination policy; wherein the policy enforcement for at least one policy for the data object is configurable; and displaying a current policy status for each of the set of policies that are being enforced.