File System Hard Link Deduplication for Storage Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage solutions, such as magnetic diskettes and optical media, face limitations in storage capacity, cost, and data access speed, with compression techniques adding complexity and cost during software installation.
Innovation Solution
The method involves utilizing hard links in file systems like UNIX to identify and eliminate duplicative content by creating links between files with identical data, reducing storage requirements and optimizing storage space through file system processing and inode management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If compression utilities are used to produce compressed software packages, then storage capacity is improved and installation speed is improved, but device complexity is worsened and cost is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hard links to create copies of file references that point to the same inode, allowing duplicate file content to be stored only once while appearing as separate files to users. This eliminates the need for complex compression algorithms while achieving space savings through intelligent file system linking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges duplicate file content by having multiple directory entries (hard links) point to the same inode, consolidating redundant data storage into a single physical location on the storage medium while maintaining the illusion of separate files.
2Speed
If hard drives are used for storage, then data access speed is improved, but storage capacity is worsened and cost is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the file system into inodes (containing file metadata and data location information) and directory entries (containing file names and links to inodes). This allows the system to maintain fast access to file metadata while efficiently utilizing storage capacity by eliminating redundant data segments through hard linking.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple diskettes are used to store large computer programs, then storage capacity is improved, but cost is worsened and ease of operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal file system structure where hard links can represent the same file content under different names and in different directory locations. This multi-functional approach allows a single stored copy of file data to serve multiple logical file requirements, simplifying installation and reducing the need for multiple physical storage media.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and computer program product for reducing storage space requirements in a computer file system comprising linkable files are provided. The method allows creating a list of each file eligible for storage reduction. The listed files are processed to determine files comprising duplicative content. At least one of the following is performed: a) determining a presence of an existent link pointing to files with duplicative content, or b) in the absence of an existent link, creating a link for coupling files with duplicative content. One may then eliminate storage space for any redundant duplicative content, thereby reducing storage size requirements for the file system.