Mechanism to provide direct multi-node file system access to files on a ...

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US007191225B1

(12) United States Patent

Borthakur

(io) Patent No.: (45) Date of Patent:

US 7,191,225 Bl Mar. 13, 2007

(54) MECHANISM TO PROVIDE DIRECT

MULTI-NODE FILE SYSTEM ACCESS TO
FILES ON A SINGLE-NODE STORAGE
STACK

(75) Inventor: Dhrubajyoti Borthakur, San Jose, CA (US)

(73) Assignee: Veritas Operating Corporation,

Cupertino, CA (US)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 789 days.

(21) Appl. No.: 10/306,562

(22) Filed: Nov. 27, 2002

(51) Int. CI.

G06F15/167 (2006.01)

(52) U.S. CI 709/213; 709/214; 709/225;

709/248; 707/8; 707/10; 711/114; 711/147

(58) Field of Classification Search 709/213,

709/214, 217-219, 225, 229, 248; 707/8, 707/10; 711/114, 147, 154 See application file for complete search history.

(56) References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

5,950,203 A * 9/1999 Stakuis et al 707/10

6,073,209 A * 6/2000 Bergsten 711/114

6,606,690 B2* 8/2003 Padovano 709/213

6,718,372 Bl * 4/2004 Bober 709/217

6,763,423 B2 * 7/2004 Stakutis et al 711/148

6,834,324 Bl * 12/2004 Wood 711/111

A method and system for providing multi-node file system access to files on a single-node storage stack. The method may include sending a data access request from a client system to a server system over a network. The data access request may comprise a request to access data which is stored on one or more storage devices whose access is controlled by the server system. The method may include using a mapping interface to determine a quantity of components in the storage stack. The method may further include using the mapping interface to communicate with the storage stack components to retrieve a physical location of the data on the storage devices and sending the physical location of the data to the client. The method may include the client bypassing the server to access the data on the storage devices at the physical location provided by the mapping interface.

20 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets