Patent ID: 7836106
Filing Date: 2010-11-16
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A file system access-controller for testing a file system, comprising: a processing unit; means for identifying a set of logically distinct layers in a new logical file system under test as part of a build process by the file system access-controller having the processing unit wherein the new logical file system includes a front layer, an anti-file layer and a back layer, wherein the back layer includes a first set of file system resources and wherein the anti-file layer includes an anti-file that designates a first file in the back layer to be reversibly masked by the file system access-controller to test the new logical file system to determine if the new logical file system functions properly with the first file effectively removed therefrom without actually removing the first file; means for identifying a match between the anti-file in the anti-file layer and the first file within the back layer by the file system access-controller and interpreting the anti-file in the anti-file layer as an instruction to reversibly mask the presence of the first file from any programs attempting to access the first file; means, responsive to identifying a match, for simulating the removal of the first file for testing purposes by reversibly masking the presence of the first file to at least one requester, by the file system access-controller, without removing the first file from the back layer; and means, responsive to reversibly masking the presence of the first file, for testing the new logical file system while the presence of the first file is reversibly masked to determine if the new logical file system functions properly with the first file effectively removed therefrom for testing purposes.