Patent ID: 7546319
Filing Date: 2009-06-09
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method of performing a file system consistency check in a distributed, segmented single file system implemented by file servers that control metadata of separate segments of the single file system, the single file system including file system entities residing in the segments and comprising at least portions of at least one of files or directories, the method comprising: analyzing primary file system entities of a first segment of the file system to determine if a first primary file system entity points to a second primary file system entity of a second segment separate from the first segment, the file system including a root directory and being organized such that any file system entity of the file system is accessible by traversing the file system starting from the root directory, the first segment including a primary name space having the primary file system entities of the first segment, the second segment further including a shadow directory; determining that the first primary file system entity points to the second primary file system entity of the second segment; storing a first indication indicating that the first primary file system entity points to the second primary file system entity of the second segment, the first indication facilitating finding of a first physical portion of the second segment containing the second primary file system entity; analyzing the shadow directory to determine a recorded indication of a location of a third primary file system entity contained in a segment other than the first segment and a pointer of the third primary file system entity indicative of a name of a fourth primary file system entity of the first segment and facilitating finding of a second physical portion of the first segment containing the fourth primary file system entity, the recorded indication facilitating finding of a third physical portion of the segment containing the third primary file system entity; and storing a second indication of the recorded indication of the location of the third primary file system entity and the pointer of the third primary file system entity.