Patent ID: 6304874
Filing Date: 2001-10-16
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
Apparatus for providing indexes for units of data or software in distributed storage, the apparatus comprising:(i) a database with an input for descriptive data sets related to individual units of data or software stored in the distributed storage;(ii) a set of indexes for containing respective lists of descriptive data sets selected from the descriptive data sets which have been input to the database; and(iii) control means for controlling the contents of the set of indexes;wherein each index has associated with it a data store to which selected descriptive data sets can be copied when input to the database, wherein each descriptive data set has associated with it an address data field, the apparatus further comprising means to read the address data field associated with each descriptive data set, on input of the descriptive data set to the database, means to route a copy of the descriptive data set to the data store(s) identified by the contents of its address data field, and means for transferring selected descriptive data sets from the data stores to the associated indexes, and wherein the means for transferring selected descriptive data sets is operable in response to an indication of acceptance from a user interface.