Certificate-Based File System Object Expiration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern file systems lack the ability to automatically remove file system objects based on expiration dates, leading to wasted storage resources as unused files persist indefinitely unless manually deleted by users.

Innovation Solution

A file system that associates each object with a certificate containing an expiration time, allowing for automatic deletion when the time expires, either upon access or through scheduled scans, utilizing a certificate authority to validate and manage expiration policies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If files are allowed to persist indefinitely in the file system, then storage resources are wasted, but manual deletion requires user intervention and time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage resource management efficiencyVSAvoidtime for manual deletion tasks

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by automatically setting expiration dates on files during the file creation process. The file system object includes metadata that pre-determines when the file should be deleted, eliminating the need for users to manually check and delete old files later.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The file system performs self-service by automatically managing file expiration and deletion without user intervention. The system monitors its own objects, validates expiration dates, and removes expired files autonomously, freeing users from manual storage management tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Extent of automation

If the file system tracks expiration dates for all objects, then automatic deletion capability is enabled, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic file deletion capabilityVSAvoidfile system structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the expiration tracking functionality into the existing file system object structure. By combining expiration date metadata with standard file attributes, the system avoids creating separate complex tracking mechanisms while still enabling automatic deletion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The file system object serves multiple functions: it stores file data, tracks metadata, manages expiration dates, and enables automatic deletion. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating features into existing structures rather than adding separate specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11777919B2Certificate based expiration of file system objects

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 RED HAT INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for enhancing file systems with file system objects that automatically expire. An example method may involve: scanning, by a processing device, a data storage node, wherein the data storage node comprises multiple certificates associated with file system objects in a plurality of different data storage nodes; iterating through the multiple certificates to determine a set of certificates, wherein the set of certificates comprises certificates that are invalid; and initiating a deletion of the file system objects in the plurality of different storage nodes.