Patents Assigned to Cleversafe, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20120166868
    Abstract: A method begins by a processing module receiving data of a file for storage in a dispersed storage network (DSN) memory and determining a segmentation scheme for storing the data. The method continues with the processing module determining how to store the data in accordance with the segmentation scheme to produce information for storing the data and generating an entry within a segment allocation table associated with the file, wherein the entry includes the information for storing the data and the segmentation scheme. The method continues with the processing module facilitating storage of the segment allocation table in the DSN memory. The method continues with the processing module segmenting the data in accordance with the segmentation scheme to produce a plurality of data segments and facilitating storage of the plurality of data segments in the DSN memory in accordance with the information for storing the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Ilya Volvovski, Andrew Baptist, Wesley Leggette
  • Patent number: 8209363
    Abstract: A file system interface to a dispersed data storage network is disclosed. The disclosed interface accepts read and write commands from a file system resident on a user's computer and generates network commands that are forwarded to slice servers that form the storage component of the dispersed data storage network. The slice servers then fulfill the read and write commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas Palthepu, Greg Dhuse, Vance Thornton, Andrew Baptist, Jason Resch, Ilya Volvovski, John Quigley, Zachary Mark, Bart Cilfone, S. Christopher Gladwin
  • Patent number: 8200788
    Abstract: A slicer server includes a network port, memory, and a central processing module. The central processing unit functions to obtain, via the network port, an information record regarding a virtual dispersed data storage container. The central processing unit further functions to determine whether its list of virtual dispersed data storage containers includes the virtual dispersed data storage container. The central processing unit further functions to, when the list does not include the virtual dispersed data storage container, update the list to include the virtual dispersed data storage container and allocate a portion of the memory to the virtual dispersed data storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley Leggette, Zachary J. Mark, John Quigley, Manish Motwani, Srinivas Palthepu
  • Patent number: 8190662
    Abstract: A slice server includes a network port, a central processing unit, and memory. The central processing unit (CPU) is operable to receive, via the network port, a request to access a virtual digital data storage vault. The CPU then determines whether the slice server supports the virtual digital data storage vault. When the slice server supports the virtual digital data storage vault, the CPU determines whether the request is valid. When the request is valid, the CPU executes the request to generate a response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: S. Christopher Gladwin, Greg Dhuse, Vance T. Thornton, Manish Motwani, Ilya Volvovski, Wesley Leggette, Jamie Bellanca, Sarah Toledano, Jerri Lynn Foster, Zachary J. Mark
  • Patent number: 8185614
    Abstract: A centralized depository for storing information regarding a collection of servers and other hardware used to implement a plurality of virtual dispersed data storage containers is disclosed. The centralized depository describes each virtual dispersed data storage container as well as the hardware used to provide the plurality of virtual dispersed data storage containers. Computers operating on or seeking to access specific virtual dispersed data storage containers can obtain the information required for access from the centralized depository.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley Leggette, Zachary J. Mark, John Quigley, Manish Motwani, Srinivas Palthepu
  • Patent number: 8171101
    Abstract: An improved system for accessing data within a distributed data storage network (“DDSN”) is disclosed. In a system implementing the disclosed invention, traffic is routed to individual slice servers within the DDSN in accordance with objective criteria as well as user-defined policies. In accordance with one aspect of the disclosed invention, when a data segment is written to a DDSN, the segment is divided into multiple data slices, which are simultaneously transmitted to different slice servers. In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed invention, when a data segment is read from a DDSN, a list of slice servers, each containing a data slice that could be used to reconstruct the requested data segment, is assembled, and sorted in accordance with a preference rating assigned to each of the slice servers. Sufficient data slices to reconstruct the data segment are then read in accordance with the preference ranking of the slice servers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: S. Christopher Gladwin, Greg Dhuse, Vance Thornton, Ilya Volvovski, Jamie Bellanca
  • Patent number: 8171102
    Abstract: A method for reading data from a dispersed data storage network that includes a plurality of slice servers. The method begins by accessing a list of slice servers of the plurality of slice servers, wherein each slice server on the list stores at least one data slice associated with a data segment of the data. The method continues by transmitting read requests to at least some of the slice servers on the list. The method continues by receiving a data slice from a slice server on the list. The method continues by determining whether a threshold number of data slices has been received. The method continues, when the threshold number of data slices has been received, assembling the data segment from at least the threshold number of data slices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: S. Christopher Gladwin, Greg Dhuse, Vance T. Thornton, Ilya Volvovski, Jamie Bellanca
  • Publication number: 20120089809
    Abstract: A method begins by a processing module receiving an encoded data slice to store and determining a slice length of the encoded data slice. The method continues with the processing module comparing the slice length to a plurality of bin widths, wherein each of the plurality of bin widths represents a fixed storage width of a plurality of memory bins within each of a plurality of memory containers, wherein a storage unit includes the plurality of memory containers. The method continues with the processing module selecting one of the plurality of memory containers based on the comparing to produce a selected memory container, identifying an available bin of the plurality of bins of the selected memory container, and storing the encoded data slice in the available bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: JASON K. RESCH, SIYUAN MA
  • Patent number: 8140777
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a processing module and a network interface. The processing module is operably coupled to: access user level metadata based on account identifier to identify a plurality of files associated with a user and retrieve user level metadata for the plurality of files; access file level metadata associated with the plurality of files to retrieve, for each of the plurality of files, file level metadata and determine, for each of the plurality of files, a plurality of file slices associated with a corresponding file of the plurality of files; and generate billing transaction information based on the user level metadata and the file level metadata of the plurality of files. The network interface is operably coupled to: convert the billing transaction information into a network billing transaction information message and transmit it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: S. Christopher Gladwin, Matthew M. England, Zachary J. Mark, Vance T. Thornton, Joshua J. Mullin, Sejal Kumarbhai Modi
  • Publication number: 20110289577
    Abstract: A method begins by a processing module determining whether a data access request is requesting access to data stored in a plurality of dispersed storage networks (DSNs). The method continues with the processing module determining whether one of the plurality of DSNs is a home DSN to a requesting entity when the data access request is requesting access to data stored in the plurality of DSNs. The method continues with the processing module utilizing a local signed certificate to access one or more dispersed storage (DS) units of the home DSN, validating a global signed certificate with one or more DS units of a non-home DSN of the plurality of DSNs to produce a valid global signed certificate, and utilizing the valid signed certificate to access the one or more DS units of the non-home DSN when the plurality of DSNs includes the home DSN.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason K. Resch, Gary W. Grube, Timothy W. Markison
  • Publication number: 20110289566
    Abstract: A method begins by a processing module outputting a registration request message that includes requesting access to a local dispersed storage network (DSN) and requesting access to a global DSN. The method continues with the processing module receiving a registration response message that includes a global universal unique identifier (UUID) and a local UUID. The method continues with the processing module generating a global public-private key pair and a local public-private key pair and generating a global certificate signing request (CSR) based on the global UUID and a private key of the global public-private key pair. The method continues with the processing module generating a local CSR based on the local UUID and a private key of the local public-private key pair, sending the global and local CSRs to a certificate authority (CA), and receiving a signed global certificate and a signed local certificate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason K. Resch, Gary W. Grube, Timothy W. Markison
  • Patent number: 8019960
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a processing module and a network interface. The processing module is operably coupled to obtain; a data storage transaction request regarding a file; determine identity of a user based on the data storage transaction request; access file level metadata based on the identity of the user to determine a plurality of file slices associated with the file; access file slice metadata to identify at least one of a plurality of storage nodes that stores or is to store, a data slice and coded subsets of at least one of the plurality of file slices; and generate a data storage transaction message to facilitate a data storage transaction regarding the at least one of the plurality of file slices. The network interface is operably coupled to convert the data storage transaction message into a network data storage message and transmit it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: S. Christopher Gladwin, Matthew M. England, Dustin M. Hendrickson, Zachary J. Mark, Vance T. Thornton, Jason K. Resch, Dhanvi Gopala Krishna Kapila Lakshmana Harsha
  • Patent number: 7962641
    Abstract: A client computer streams a digital media presentation from a dispersed data storage network including a plurality of slice servers. A dispersed data storage network access component streams data directly from the dispersed data storage network and passes data to a media player, also residing on the client computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Dhuse, S. Christopher Gladwin
  • Patent number: 7953937
    Abstract: An efficient method for breaking source data into smaller data subsets and storing those subsets along with coded information about some of the other data subsets on different storage nodes such that the original data can be recreated from a portion of those data subsets in an efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: S. Christopher Gladwin, Matthew M. England
  • Patent number: 7953771
    Abstract: A dispersed data storage system includes a plurality of slice servers. In the system, a first set of the slice servers supports a first virtual digital data storage vault and a second set of the slice servers supports a second virtual digital data storage vault. A slice server is in the first and second sets and functions to: receive a request to access a virtual digital data storage vault; determine whether the virtual digital data storage vault is the first or the second virtual digital data storage vault; when the virtual digital data storage vault is the first or the second virtual digital data storage vault, determine whether the request is valid; and when the request is valid, execute the request to generate a response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: S. Christopher Gladwin, Greg Dhuse, Vance T. Thornton, Manish Motwani, Ilya Volvolvski, Wesley Leggette, Jamie Bellanca, Sarah Toledano, Jerri Lynn Foster, Zachary J. Mark
  • Patent number: 7904475
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for implementing a plurality of dispersed data storage networks using a set of slice servers are disclosed. A plurality of information records are maintained, with each information record corresponding to a dispersed data storage network. The information record maintains what slice servers are used to implement the dispersed data storage network, as well as other information needed to administer a DDSN, such as the information dispersal algorithm used, how data is stored, and whether data is compressed or encrypted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: S. Christopher Gladwin, Greg Dhuse, Vance Thornton, Mainsh Motwani, Ilya Volvovski, Wesley Leggette, Jamie Bellanca, Sarah Toledano, Lynn Foster, Zachary Mark
  • Patent number: 7818518
    Abstract: A digital data file storage system is disclosed in which original data files to be stored are dispersed using some form of information dispersal algorithm into a number of file “slices” or subsets in such a manner that the data in each file share is less usable or less recognizable or completely unusable or completely unrecognizable by itself except when combined with some or all of the other file shares. These file shares are stored on separate digital data storage devices as a way of increasing privacy and security. As dispersed file shares are being transferred to or stored on a grid of distributed storage locations, various grid resources may become non-operational or may operate below at a less than optimal level. When dispersed file shares are being written to a dispersed storage grid which not available, the grid clients designates the dispersed data shares that could not be written at that time on a Rebuild List.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: S. Christopher Gladwin, Matthew M. England, Dhavi Gopala Krishna Kapila Lakshmana Harsha, Zachary J. Mark, Vance T. Thornton
  • Patent number: 7574579
    Abstract: Described is an information dispersal system in which original data to be stored is separated into a number of data “slices” in such a manner that the data in each subset is less usable or less recognizable or completely unusable or completely unrecognizable by itself except when combined with some or all of the other data subsets. These data subsets are stored on separate storage devices as a way of increasing privacy and security. A metadata management system stores and indexes user files across all of the storage nodes. The metadata management system stores metadata for dispersed data where: the dispersed data is in several pieces; and the metadata is in a separate dataspace from the dispersed data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: S. Christopher Gladwin, Matthew M. England, Dustin M. Hendrickson, Zachary J. Mark, Vance T. Thornton, Jason K. Resch, Dhanvi Gopala Krishna Kapila Lakshmana Harsha
  • Patent number: 7546427
    Abstract: A digital data file storage system is disclosed in which original data files to be stored are dispersed using some form of information dispersal algorithm into a number of file “slices” or subsets in such a manner that the data in each file share is less usable or less recognizable or completely unusable or completely unrecognizable by itself except when combined with some or all of the other file shares. These file shares are stored on separate digital data storage devices as a way of increasing privacy and security. As dispersed file shares are being transferred to or stored on a grid of distributed storage locations, various grid resources may become non-operational or may operate below at a less than optimal level. When dispersed file shares are being written to a dispersed storage grid which not available, the grid clients designates the dispersed data shares that could not be written at that time on a Rebuild List.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: S. Christopher Gladwin, Matthew M. England, Dhavi Gopala Krishna Kapila Lakshmana Harsha, Zachary J. Mark, Vance T. Thomton