File System Namespace Reconstruction via Super Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current file system recovery methods fail to recover data when the namespace and inode structures are lost, leading to disruptions and significant data loss despite investments in data security, as they cannot rebuild the filesystem without intact namespace metadata.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism is introduced to reconstruct the namespace by locating and utilizing metadata super segments, reconstructing content handles, and reassembling the inode and directory structures using a disaster recovery application, allowing for the recovery of file system metadata and data accessibility through conventional methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional file system recovery methods are used, then the system maintains simplicity in recovery procedures, but data loss occurs when namespace metadata is corrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating and storing backup namespace metadata and super segment information before data corruption occurs. The system pre-processes file system data into super segments with embedded metadata, and stores redundant namespace information that can be used for recovery without requiring the original namespace to be intact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary recovery mechanism that uses super segments as mediators between corrupted namespace metadata and the actual file data. The super segments contain embedded metadata and file data that can be independently recovered and used to reconstruct the namespace without requiring the original namespace structure.
2Reliability
If namespace metadata is stored in a single location, then the file system structure remains simple, but complete data loss occurs when that location is corrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the file system into super segments, where each super segment is a self-contained unit with embedded metadata and file data. This segmentation allows individual super segments to be recovered independently without requiring the entire namespace metadata to be intact, thus improving reliability while maintaining manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by embedding metadata within each super segment rather than storing all metadata in a central location. Each super segment has the quality of being self-sufficient with its own metadata, allowing local recovery without affecting other segments. This distributed metadata storage improves reliability while the modular structure keeps complexity manageable.
3Ease of operation
If the file system requires intact namespace metadata for recovery, then the recovery process remains straightforward, but data accessibility is lost when namespace is corrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by creating copies of namespace metadata within each super segment. Instead of relying on a single master namespace, the system distributes copies of metadata throughout the super segments, allowing data to be accessed and recovered even when the original namespace is corrupted or lost.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for reconstructing a namespace in response to a loss of data are described herein. To reconstruct the namespace, metadata super segments within a set of file containers may be located in response to a determination that original namespace metadata associated with files stored within the containers is unreadable. Content handles linking the super segment to metadata for each of the files may then be reconstructed from the super segments. Both inode numbers and M-tree identifiers are also extracted from the super segments for each of the files referenced by the super segments. Then, a plurality of U-trees is assembled by aggregating and linking the inode numbers of the files referenced within the super segments based on the M-tree identifiers. Finally, the recovered namespace metadata tree data structure for all of the files within the plurality of LP containers is assembled by aggregating and linking the U-trees.