Patent ID: 7640247
Filing Date: 2009-12-29
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A computer-readable memory storage medium having stored computer-executable instructions, comprising: receiving a request from a client to open a file of a distributed file system, wherein the request comprises a path to the file, the path containing an aggregated link; determining that the path contains the aggregated link, wherein the aggregated link corresponds to a first folder of the distributed file system, the first folder representing a plurality of other folders that are not subfolders of the first folder and that are not replicas of each other, the plurality of other folders being stored on a plurality of servers such that each of the plurality of servers hosts files corresponding to the first folder of the distributed file system, and such that one or more files that correspond to the first folder that are stored on a first server of the plurality of servers are different from one or more files that correspond to the first folder that are stored on a second server of the plurality of servers; sending a message to the client indicating that the client should request a referral; upon receiving a request for the referral, determining which of the plurality of servers stores the requested file; constructing the referral to include a source path and a target path to the server that stores the requested file, wherein the source path includes the components of the request before the aggregated link, the aggregated link, and the next component after the aggregated link, and wherein the target path contains components to which the components of the request before the aggregated link and the aggregated link map as well as the next component after the aggregated link; wherein a group, of servers that each store a replica of a file associated with an aggregated link is a replica group, and further comprising: