File Metadata Management via Disk Identifier Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large-scale asymmetric storage systems, changing data server addresses or moving disks disrupts data services, requiring manual administrator intervention and tool usage, leading to time and cost inefficiencies and potential service interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that manage file metadata by using a unique disk identifier stored on each disk, allowing continuous data service without administrator intervention, by requesting metadata from a metadata management server, verifying disk information to determine data server addresses, and periodically updating disk identifiers to ensure seamless service even with address changes or disk movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data server address is changed or disk is moved, then system flexibility and maintenance capability are improved, but data service continuity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the address information into two parts: a stable disk identifier stored in the file metadata, and a dynamic data server address stored separately in a disk identifier file. This segmentation allows the metadata to remain unchanged while the address mapping can be updated, resolving the contradiction between system flexibility and service continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a disk identifier file as an intermediary layer between the metadata and the data server address. This intermediary absorbs the changes in address information, allowing the metadata to remain stable while enabling flexible address updates. The client uses this intermediary to resolve the current address without modifying the original metadata.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual administrator intervention is used to update file metadata, then data service accuracy is maintained, but time consumption and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the system automatically updates the address mapping through periodic verification and automatic updates of the disk identifier file. The metadata management server autonomously maintains the correspondence between disk identifiers and data server addresses without requiring manual administrator intervention, thus maintaining accuracy while reducing time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the metadata management server periodically verifies disk information and automatically updates the disk identifier file when changes are detected. This feedback loop ensures data service accuracy is maintained through automated verification and correction, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
3Ease of operation
If data server address is included in file metadata, then data service is provided, but metadata complexity and update difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the address information from the file metadata and stores it separately in a disk identifier file. The metadata retains only the stable disk identifier, while the dynamic address information is maintained externally. This extraction simplifies the metadata structure and makes updates easier, as changes only require modifying the separate disk identifier file rather than the metadata itself.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method and a system for managing a file metadata, which are independent of a address change of a data server and movements of a disk by using a location of disk where data exists actually as a location information of a file data. The method for managing the file metadata includes determining whether the request of the metadata is valid, verifying information of a disk storing a file data corresponding to the metadata and a data server address in which the file data exists, and transmitting the verified address of the data server to the client. According to the method and the system for managing the file metadata, data services can be continuously provided without modifications of a file metadata even if the data server address is changed.