Patent ID: 8037181

Claim:
In a distributed network directory, a method for re-partitioning directory servers supporting user services in a site receiving access requests from users for user data, the site comprising the directory servers, where at least a first directory server stores directory objects that include the user data, the directory objects being stored in categorical groups such that the directory objects in each group share an attribute, and a management server communicatively coupled to the directory servers having a table storing information identifying a location for each group of objects, the method comprising the steps of: identifying a group of directory objects in one of the directory servers for migration to another directory server; selecting a second directory server capable of storing the identified group of directory objects; marking the identified group of directory objects to limit, for requests from users directed to reading and/or writing user data stored within respective directory objects, access to the directory objects while transferring the identified group of directory objects to the second directory server, which limits read and/or write access to user data stored in the directory objects of the identified group during a period of time during which the identified group of directory objects is temporarily marked; transferring the identified group of directory objects from the first directory server to the second directory server; updating the location information in the table to indicate the identified group of directory objects is located at the second directory server; and deleting the identified group of directory objects from the first directory server.