Patent ID: 8209363
Filing Date: 2012-06-26
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for execution by a computer, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a request to access a data segment based on a file object identifier, wherein the data segment is encoded into a plurality of data slices that is dispersedly stored on a plurality of slice servers, wherein the data segment is reconstructable from a threshold number of the plurality of data slices; in response to the request, determining whether an object associated with the file object identifier is cached, wherein the object includes one or more directory objects and one or more associated metadata objects; when the object is not cached, requesting the object from at least some of the plurality of slice servers by: receiving object slices of the object from slice servers of the at least some of the slice servers, wherein the object is encoded into a plurality of object slices; when at least a threshold number of object slices is received, reconstructing the object from the at least the threshold number of object slices, wherein the threshold number of object slices is less than the plurality of object slices; caching the object to produce a cached object; and requesting access to the data segment from the plurality of slice servers based on the cached object.