Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and other embodiments facilitate transitioning a database between two modes. The two modes include a mode where table information for separate tables in the database is stored in a single monolithic file and a mode where the table information for separate tables is stored in separate files. Conventional attempts to make this type of transition lock the database for an unacceptable amount of time. Example methods and apparatus make a copy of a database that is to be transitioned, lock the copy, make a second instance of the copy, and then perform the work necessary for the transition in the second instance. This allows the original database to remain running. When the second instance is complete, the second instance is synchronized to the original database and then the transition is completed by copying the second instance to the original or failing the original over to the second instance.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and other embodiments facilitate transitioning a database between two modes. The two modes include a mode where table information for separate tables in the database is stored in a single monolithic file and a mode where the table information for separate tables is stored in separate files. Conventional attempts to make this type of transition lock the database for an unacceptable amount of time. Example methods and apparatus make a copy of a database that is to be transitioned, lock the copy, make a second instance of the copy, and then perform the work necessary for the transition in the second instance. This allows the original database to remain running. When the second instance is complete, the second instance is synchronized to the original database and then the transition is completed by copying the second instance to the original or failing the original over to the second instance.

Abstract: A distributed file system is disclosed. A plurality of disk servers, operating as a single distributed disk server layer, are connected to the one or more physical disks. Each disk server stores meta-data for each of the files. A plurality of lock servers, having one or more locks for each file operates as a single distributed lock server to coordinate access to the files stored by the disk server layer. A plurality of asynchronous file servers, operating as a single distributed file server layer in response to a request for a file from a user program: (i) retrieves the requested file from the disk server layer and at least one lock, associated with the retrieved file, from the lock server, and (ii) retrieves meta-data for at least one file that is related to the requested files, and at least one lock, for each file that has had its meta-data retrieved.