File System Configuration Data Storage Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In traditional file system configurations, managing and accessing file system data across multiple host systems is cumbersome, requiring manual configuration and data exchange, especially in clustered environments, where each host needs to store and manage its own configuration data locally or through network communication.
Innovation Solution
Storing file system configuration data on a remote storage device alongside the file system data, allowing hosts to access and mount the file system using configuration data from this central location, with options for different versions of configuration data to accommodate various host types and contexts, eliminating the need for manual entry on each host.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If file system configuration data is stored locally on each host system, then each host can access the file system independently, but manual configuration is required on each host and administrative overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a centralized copy of file system configuration data stored on the file system itself (e.g., in a hidden file or reserved space). Each host system reads this centralized configuration data when needing to access the file system, eliminating the need to manually configure each host individually while maintaining independent access capability.
2Ease of operation
If file system configuration data is manually configured on each host system, then each host has local access capability, but the process becomes cumbersome in clustered environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by storing the file system configuration data in advance on the file system storage device itself. When hosts need to access the file system, the configuration data is already available in a centralized location, eliminating the time-consuming manual configuration process for each host while maintaining local access capability.
3Ease of operation
If configuration data is stored on remote storage device, then centralized management is achieved, but hosts need additional configuration to locate and read the configuration data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the file system itself as an intermediary between the centralized configuration data and the host systems. The configuration data is stored within the file system structure (in hidden files or reserved spaces), and the file system mounting process automatically provides access to this configuration data, eliminating the need for additional host configuration while achieving centralized management.
4Adaptability or versatility
If different versions of configuration data are maintained for different hosts, then context-specific access is enabled, but configuration management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by storing different versions of configuration data for different host contexts within the same centralized location. Each configuration version is tagged or labeled to indicate its intended host context (e.g., primary host, backup host, read-only host). When a host mounts the file system, it automatically selects and uses the configuration version appropriate for its specific context, enabling host-specific configuration support without increasing overall management complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Configuration data, such as options a file system accessed by a host system, may be stored on the storage device storing the file system. File system configuration data may be stored in a file of the file system or in a private storage area configured for storing file system configuration data. A host may access the file system configuration data and subsequently may access the file system according to the file system configuration data. Additionally, different versions of file system configuration data may be stored and different hosts accessing the file system may read and use different versions of the file system configuration data based upon the type or context of the host accessing the file system. Storing file system configuration data with the file system data, or on the same storage device, may allow context dependent options to be provided to various hosts accessing the file system data.