Abstract: A method is described that includes providing a snapshot counter for a storage system implemented with multiple distributed consistent database instances. The method further includes recognizing the taking of a snapshot of the storage system by incrementing the snapshot counter from a first snapshot counter value to a second snapshot counter value. The method further includes, in response to a first change for one of the distributed consistent databases subsequent to the taking of the snapshot, performing the following: saving state information of the distributed consistent database as the state information existed prior to the change and associating the first snapshot counter value to the state information. Associating the second snapshot counter's value with the distributed consistent database having the first change. Another method for the taking of a snapshot of a distributed consistent database is also described.

Abstract: A storage system is described. The storage system includes an object store having a plurality of objects to implement a quota policy or a part of a relational database. The plurality of objects include a first plurality of immutable objects, a second plurality of immutable objects and a head object. The first plurality of immutable objects contain information kept within the database. The second plurality of immutable objects contain a hierarchy of pages for accessing the first plurality of immutable objects. The plurality of objects also include a mutable object that contains a mapping table that maps identifiers of the pages to identifiers of objects of the second plurality of immutable objects. The information is one of: quota policy information; information within a table of a relational database; a stripe of a thin provisioned file.

Abstract: A method is described that includes providing a snapshot counter for a storage system implemented with multiple distributed consistent database instances. The method further includes recognizing the taking of a snapshot of the storage system by incrementing the snapshot counter from a first snapshot counter value to a second snapshot counter value. The method further includes, in response to a first change for one of the distributed consistent databases subsequent to the taking of the snapshot, performing the following: saving state information of the distributed consistent database as the state information existed prior to the change and associating the first snapshot counter value to the state information. Associating the second snapshot counter's value with the distributed consistent database having the first change. Another method for the taking of a snapshot of a distributed consistent database is also described.

Abstract: A method is described that includes providing a snapshot counter for a storage system implemented with multiple distributed consistent database instances. The method further includes recognizing the taking of a snapshot of the storage system by incrementing the snapshot counter from a first snapshot counter value to a second snapshot counter value. The method further includes, in response to a first change for one of the distributed consistent databases subsequent to the taking of the snapshot, performing the following: saving state information of the distributed consistent database as the state information existed prior to the change and associating the first snapshot counter value to the state information. Associating the second snapshot counter's value with the distributed consistent database having the first change. Another method for the taking of a snapshot of a distributed consistent database is also described.

Abstract: A method is described that includes providing a snapshot counter for a storage system implemented with multiple distributed consistent database instances. The method further includes recognizing the taking of a snapshot of the storage system by incrementing the snapshot counter from a first snapshot counter value to a second snapshot counter value. The method further includes, in response to a first change for one of the distributed consistent databases subsequent to the taking of the snapshot, performing the following: saving state information of the distributed consistent database as the state information existed prior to the change and associating the first snapshot counter value to the state information. Associating the second snapshot counter's value with the distributed consistent database having the first change. Another method for the taking of a snapshot of a distributed consistent database is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus is described including a large scale distributed storage system. The large scale distributed storage system includes an object store. The large scale distributed storage system includes a plurality of connector nodes coupled to the object store. The connector nodes are to provide access to the object store for respective users that are respectively coupled to the connector nodes. The connector nodes are to provide the following services for the respective users: a snapshot of a storage system implemented within said object store; branching from a snapshot taken of said storage system implemented within said object store; locking of information kept within said storage system implemented within said object store.

Abstract: A storage system is described. The storage system includes an object store having a plurality of objects to implement a quota policy or a part of a relational database. The plurality of objects include a first plurality of immutable objects, a second plurality of immutable objects and a head object. The first plurality of immutable objects contain information kept within the database. The second plurality of immutable objects contain a hierarchy of pages for accessing the first plurality of immutable objects. The plurality of objects also include a mutable object that contains a mapping table that maps identifiers of the pages to identifiers of objects of the second plurality of immutable objects. The information is one of: quota policy information; information within a table of a relational database; a stripe of a thin provisioned file.

Abstract: A storage system is described. The storage system includes an object store having a plurality of objects to implement a quota policy or a part of a relational database. The plurality of objects include a first plurality of immutable objects, a second plurality of immutable objects and a head object. The first plurality of immutable objects contain information kept within the database. The second plurality of immutable objects contain a hierarchy of pages for accessing the first plurality of immutable objects. The plurality of objects also include a mutable object that contains a mapping table that maps identifiers of the pages to identifiers of objects of the second plurality of immutable objects. The information is one of: quota policy information; information within a table of a relational database; a stripe of a thin provisioned file.

Abstract: A method is described that includes providing a snapshot counter for a storage system implemented with multiple distributed consistent database instances. The method further includes recognizing the taking of a snapshot of the storage system by incrementing the snapshot counter from a first snapshot counter value to a second snapshot counter value. The method further includes, in response to a first change for one of the distributed consistent databases subsequent to the taking of the snapshot, performing the following: saving state information of the distributed consistent database as the state information existed prior to the change and associating the first snapshot counter value to the state information. Associating the second snapshot counter's value with the distributed consistent database having the first change. Another method for the taking of a snapshot of a distributed consistent database is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus is described including a large scale distributed storage system. The large scale distributed storage system includes an object store. The large scale distributed storage system includes a plurality of connector nodes coupled to the object store. The connector nodes are to provide access to the object store for respective users that are respectively coupled to the connector nodes. The connector nodes are to provide the following services for the respective users: a snapshot of a storage system implemented within said object store; branching from a snapshot taken of said storage system implemented within said object store; locking of information kept within said storage system implemented within said object store.

Abstract: A method is described that includes providing a snapshot counter for a storage system implemented with multiple distributed consistent database instances. The method further includes recognizing the taking of a snapshot of the storage system by incrementing the snapshot counter from a first snapshot counter value to a second snapshot counter value. The method further includes, in response to a first change for one of the distributed consistent databases subsequent to the taking of the snapshot, performing the following: saving state information of the distributed consistent database as the state information existed prior to the change and associating the first snapshot counter value to the state information. Associating the second snapshot counter's value with the distributed consistent database having the first change. Another method for the taking of a snapshot of a distributed consistent database is also described.

Abstract: A storage system is described. The storage system includes an object store having a plurality of objects to implement a quota policy or a part of a relational database. The plurality of objects include a first plurality of immutable objects, a second plurality of immutable objects and a head object. The first plurality of immutable objects contain information kept within the database. The second plurality of immutable objects contain a hierarchy of pages for accessing the first plurality of immutable objects. The plurality of objects also include a mutable object that contains a mapping table that maps identifiers of the pages to identifiers of objects of the second plurality of immutable objects. The information is one of: quota policy information; information within a table of a relational database; a stripe of a thin provisioned file.