Patent ID: 6173415
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method for generating parity information for a data file, wherein data objects in the data file are distributed into data buckets located in storage areas in servers interconnected by a network, comprising the steps of:generating an nth set of bucket group numbers, wherein n is an integer value greater than zero, and wherein a data bucket and a parity bucket are associated with a bucket group number in the nth set;generating parity data for the data objects;storing the parity data in a parity bucket associated with a bucket group number in the nth set;adding a data object to the data file;initiating an additional data bucket to provide additional data object storage space;determining whether bucket availability has decreased below a predetermined threshold in response to initiating the additional data bucket;generating an (n+1)th set of bucket group numbers after determining that the initiation of the additional data bucket has caused availability to fall below the predetermined threshold, wherein a data bucket and parity bucket are associated with a bucket group number in the (n+1)th set; andstoring parity data for at least one of the data objects in a parity bucket associated with a bucket group number in the (n+1)th set.