Reverse Lookup Hints in Distributed File System Maps
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing map data structures face inefficiencies in reverse lookup operations, requiring examination of many nodes to identify files or directories by their unique identifiers, leading to computationally expensive processes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a reverse lookup method that involves receiving a structure with a reference and a reverse lookup hint, locating matching entries in a map structure, and storing references and names associated with structures to efficiently perform reverse lookups, utilizing a distributed file system with a B-tree structure for metadata storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional map data structures (B-trees, B+trees, Patricia tries) are used for organizing files and directories, then the lookup of unique identifier given path or name is optimized, but the reverse lookup of path given unique identifier becomes computationally expensive requiring examination of many more nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-computing and storing reverse lookup information (path hints) alongside forward lookup entries in the map structure. When a file or directory is created or moved, the system proactively updates reverse lookup hints that point to potential parent directories, so that reverse lookups can start from these pre-positioned hints rather than examining all nodes from scratch.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces reverse lookup hints as intermediary data structures that mediate between the unique identifier and the path. These hints act as intermediate pointers that guide the reverse lookup process, reducing the number of nodes that need to be examined by providing starting points closer to the target path.
2Productivity
If traditional map data structures are used for organizing distributed files and directories, then forward lookup efficiency is maintained, but reverse lookup operations require examination of many more nodes increasing computational cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reverse lookup process into multiple stages: first using the pre-stored reverse lookup hint to identify a candidate parent directory, then verifying the match. This segmentation divides the previously monolithic expensive operation into a cheap hint-based filtering stage followed by a verification stage, reducing overall computational energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by maintaining reverse lookup hints that are updated whenever files or directories are created, moved, or deleted. This pre-computation stores useful reverse lookup information in advance, eliminating the need for expensive node examinations during actual reverse lookup operations.
3Speed
If files and directories are arranged to optimize downward lookup of unique identifier given path or name, then forward lookup performance is improved, but reverse lookup of path given unique identifier becomes computationally expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges forward lookup and reverse lookup capabilities into a single map data structure by incorporating reverse lookup hints within the same structure that stores forward lookup entries. This merging allows both lookup directions to operate efficiently without requiring separate complex data structures, thus maintaining forward lookup speed while improving reverse lookup performance.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment includes a process for reverse lookups using a map structure and a structure being referenced by the map structure that comprises receiving a structure that comprises a reference to the structure and a reverse lookup hint; locating one or more entries in a map structure that correspond to the reverse lookup hint; and identifying at least one matching entry in the map structure that corresponds to the structure.