Hypercloning Virtual File System Inode Copying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional file system cloning processes are time-consuming, causing data access disruptions for clients as they require copying of all inodes, leading to extended downtime during the creation of point-in-time images.
Innovation Solution
The hypercloning technique generates a copy of the base VFS inode and copies only the data blocks directly referenced by it, while maintaining indirect block pointers and setting a CTW bit to prevent deallocation, allowing the original blocks to be referenced by both the VFS and its hyperclone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional file system cloning processes copy all inodes to create point-in-time images, then the completeness and accuracy of the cloned file system is improved, but the time required for cloning and data access disruption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the inode copying process by copying only the base VFS inode and its directly referenced data blocks, while excluding indirectly referenced blocks. This selective copying approach maintains cloning accuracy for the most critical components while significantly reducing the overall cloning time and data access disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by copying only the necessary base inode and directly referenced blocks rather than all inodes. This partial copying strategy is sufficient for creating functional point-in-time images while avoiding the excessive time consumption of copying the complete file system structure.
2Reliability
If all inodes are copied during file system cloning, then the integrity of the cloned file system is maintained, but the disruption to data access for clients increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cloning operation to copy only the base VFS inode and directly referenced data blocks, separating these critical components from indirectly referenced blocks. This segmentation maintains file system integrity for the most important structures while minimizing the duration of data access disruption for clients.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses selective copying of the base inode and directly referenced blocks to create a functional clone that maintains integrity for critical operations. The copying approach focuses on essential data structures rather than replicating the entire file system, thereby reducing disruption time.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional cloning copies the complete inode structure, then the completeness of the point-in-time image is improved, but the productivity of regular cloning operations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cloning process to copy only the base VFS inode and directly referenced data blocks, excluding indirectly referenced blocks. This segmentation reduces the quantity of data copied while maintaining the essential functionality of the point-in-time image, thereby significantly improving cloning speed and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial copying action by replicating only the necessary base inode and directly referenced blocks rather than the complete inode structure. This partial action is sufficient for creating functional point-in-time images while dramatically reducing the time and resources required for cloning operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for accelerating the creation of a hyperclone of a virtual file system. Specifically, each data block and indirect block directly referenced by a base inode are only copied. The hyperclone may then reference the original data blocks and original indirect blocks. Further, an indication may be provided for at least one of the copied data blocks and indirect blocks that indicates that the at least one of the copied data blocks and indirect blocks is in use.