Patent ID: 8271751

Claim:
A computer-implemented method of managing a plurality of files associated with a computer system, wherein the computer system comprises a memory and a data storage medium distinct from the memory that is configured to store the plurality of files, the method comprising: managing a collection of current metadata in the memory during operation of the computer system, the collection of current metadata comprising current information associated with each of the plurality of files stored in a file system on the data storage medium, and wherein the current information changes as the files are opened, closed and modified during operation of the computer system; storing a current snapshot of the collection of current metadata to the data storage medium, wherein the current snapshot comprises the complete metadata describing each of the plurality of files in the file system; and following a reboot of the computer system, recovering the collection of complete metadata to the memory from the snapshot of the collection of complete metadata stored on the data storage medium to thereby restore the entire file system of the data storage medium for subsequent operation.