Patents by Inventor Darren P. Schack
Darren P. Schack has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20110035412Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that provide an indexing data structure. In one embodiment, the indexing data structure is mirrored index tree where the copies of the nodes of the tree are stored across devices in a distributed system. In one embodiment, nodes that are stored on an offline device are restored, and an offline device that comes back online is merged into the distributed system and given access to the current indexing data structure. In one embodiment, the indexing data structure is traversed to locate and restore nodes that are stored on offline devices of the distributed system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2010Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: ISILON SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Neal T. Fachan, Aaron J. Passey, Darren P. Schack
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Patent number: 7882071Abstract: In one embodiment, a user or client device is connected to a distributed file system comprised of one or more physical nodes. The data on each of the physical nodes store metadata about files and directories within the file system. Some of the embodiments permit a user to take a snapshot of data stored on the file system. The snapshot may include a single file, a single directory, a plurality of files within a directory, a plurality of directories, a path on the file system that includes nested files and subdirectories, or more than one path on the file system that each includes nested files and directories. In one embodiment, previous versions of a file or directory are stored only in response to a request to modify the file or directory. The system creates and updates a snapshot tracking data structure which provides information regarding each file or directory governed by the snapshot that was modified or deleted after the snapshot was taken.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2006Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Isilon Systems, Inc.Inventors: Neal T. Fachan, Justin M. Husted, Eric M. Lemar, Darren P. Schack
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Patent number: 7882068Abstract: In one embodiment, a user or client device communicates with a distributed file system comprised of one or more physical nodes. The data on each of the physical nodes store metadata about files and directories within the file system. Some of the embodiments permit a user to take a snapshot of data stored on the file system. The snapshot may include a single file, a single directory, a plurality of files within a directory, a plurality of directories, a path on the file system that includes nested files and subdirectories, or more than one path on the file system that each includes nested files and directories. In some embodiments, systems and methods intelligently choose whether to use copy-on-write or point-in-time copy when saving data in a snapshot version of a file whose current version is being overwritten. In some embodiments, systems and methods allow snapshot users to return from a snapshot directory to the immediate parent directory from which the user entered into the snapshot.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2007Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Isilon Systems, Inc.Inventors: Darren P. Schack, Eric M. Lemar, Neal T. Fachan
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Publication number: 20110016353Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for scanning files and directories in a distributed file system on a network of nodes. The nodes include metadata with attribute information corresponding to files and directories distributed on the nodes. In one embodiment, the files and directories are scanned by commanding the nodes to search their respective metadata for a selected attribute. At least two of the nodes are capable of searching their respective metadata in parallel. In one embodiment, the distributed file system commands the nodes to search for metadata data structures having location information corresponding to a failed device on the network. The metadata data structures identified in the search may then be used to reconstruct lost data that was stored on the failed device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2010Publication date: January 20, 2011Applicant: ISILON SYSTEM, INC.Inventors: Paul A. Mikesell, Robert J. Anderson, Peter J. Godman, Darren P. Schack, Nathan E. Dire
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Publication number: 20100257219Abstract: A distributed file system enables the intelligent storing and retrieval of files among a plurality of storage units. The distributed file system utilizes a metadata data structure to track and manage detailed information about each file, including, for example, the device and block locations of the file's data blocks, to permit different levels of replication and/or redundancy. The distributed file system includes a switch to receive a read request for a file and to send the read request to one of the storage units. Each of the plurality of storage units is operable to monitor access to the file, such that a block cache module is operable to perform a scalable number of packet read aheads, wherein the scalable number is based on at least a current read rate and a current latency of a link to access the at least one file.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: ISILON SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Sujal M. Patel, Paul A. Mikesell, Darren P. Schack
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Publication number: 20100235413Abstract: The intelligent distributed file system enables the storing of file data among a plurality of smart storage units which are accessed as a single file system. The intelligent distributed file system utilizes a metadata data structure to track and manage detailed information about each file, including, for example, the device and block locations of the file's data blocks, to permit different levels of replication and/or redundancy within a single file system, to facilitate the change of redundancy parameters, to provide high-level protection for metadata, to replicate and move data in real-time, and so forth.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: ISILON SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Sujal M. Patel, Paul A. Mikesell, Darren P. Schack
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Patent number: 7797283Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that provide an indexing data structure. In one embodiment, the indexing data structure is mirrored index tree where the copies of the nodes of the tree are stored across devices in a distributed system. In one embodiment, nodes that are stored on an offline device are restored, and an offline device that comes back online is merged into the distributed system and given access to the current indexing data structure. In one embodiment, the indexing data structure is traversed to locate and restore nodes that are stored on offline devices of the distributed system.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2005Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Isilon Systems, Inc.Inventors: Neal T. Fachan, Aaron J. Passey, Darren P. Schack
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Patent number: 7788303Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for scanning files and directories in a distributed file system on a network of nodes. The nodes include metadata with attribute information corresponding to files and directories distributed on the nodes. In one embodiment, the files and directories are scanned by commanding the nodes to search their respective metadata for a selected attribute. At least two of the nodes are capable of searching their respective metadata in parallel. In one embodiment, the distributed file system commands the nodes to search for metadata data structures having location information corresponding to a failed device on the network. The metadata data structures identified in the search may then be used to reconstruct lost data that was stored on the failed device.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2005Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Isilon Systems, Inc.Inventors: Paul A. Mikesell, Robert J. Anderson, Peter J. Godman, Darren P. Schack, Nathan E. Dire
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Publication number: 20100161557Abstract: In one embodiment, a user or client device is connected to a distributed file system comprised of one or more physical nodes. The data on each of the physical nodes store metadata about files and directories within the file system. Some of the embodiments permit a user to take a snapshot of data stored on the file system. The snapshot may include a single file, a single directory, a plurality of files within a directory, a plurality of directories, a path on the file system that includes nested files and subdirectories, or more than one path on the file system that each includes nested files and directories. According to one embodiment, the system stores representations of the snapshots that govern a file or directory and its descendants within metadata associated with that file or directory. In one embodiment, before modifying a file or directory, the system updates the representations of the governing snapshots by traversing the metadata of ancestors of the file or directory.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2010Publication date: June 24, 2010Inventors: Robert J. Anderson, Neal T. Fachan, Justin M. Husted, Eric M. Lemar, Aaron J. Passey, Darren P. Schack
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Publication number: 20100161556Abstract: In one embodiment, a user or client device is connected to a distributed file system comprised of one or more physical nodes. The data on each of the physical nodes store metadata about files and directories within the file system. Some of the embodiments permit a user to take a snapshot of data stored on the file system. The snapshot may include a single file, a single directory, a plurality of files within a directory, a plurality of directories, a path on the file system that includes nested files and subdirectories, or more than one path on the file system that each includes nested files and directories. In one embodiment, the metadata comprises mini-snapshots for directories representing a path from the root of the file system to the root of the snapshot. The mini-snapshots serve as stand-ins for portions of the file system which are not included in the snapshot, but which permit access to the snapshot data in an intuitive way.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2010Publication date: June 24, 2010Inventors: Robert J. Anderson, Neal T. Fachan, Eric M. Lemar, Aaron J. Passey, David W. Richards, Darren P. Schack
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Patent number: 7743033Abstract: The intelligent distributed file system enables the storing of file data among a plurality of smart storage units which are accessed as a single file system. The intelligent distributed file system utilizes a metadata data structure to track and manage detailed information about each file, including, for example, the device and block locations of the file's data blocks, to permit different levels of replication and/or redundancy within a single file system, to facilitate the change of redundancy parameters, to provide high-level protection for metadata, to replicate and move data in real-time, and so forth.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2007Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Isilon Systems, Inc.Inventors: Sujal M. Patel, Paul A. Mikesell, Darren P. Schack
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Publication number: 20100131776Abstract: A number of digital content rendering modules are equipped such that selective subsets of the modules may be employed to render digital content of different media, and of different format types. The modules are organized into a hierarchy, with a selected one occupying a root position of the hierarchy, to exclusively receive the digital contents to be rendered, and that each module is further responsible for verifying the integrity of its immediate downstream modules, to collectively protect the digital contents being rendered. Additionally, in accordance with another aspect, a tamper resistant module is employed to recover digital contents provided in a protected state, obfuscating the recovery. Further, the modules may be of different application domains.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2009Publication date: May 27, 2010Applicant: REALNETWORKS, INC.Inventors: Jeffrey M. Ayars, Rahul Agarwal, Alain Hamel, Darren P. Schack
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Patent number: 7680842Abstract: In one embodiment, a user or client device is connected to a distributed file system comprised of one or more physical nodes. The data on each of the physical nodes store metadata about files and directories within the file system. Some of the embodiments permit a user to take a snapshot of data stored on the file system. The snapshot may include a single file, a single directory, a plurality of files within a directory, a plurality of directories, a path on the file system that includes nested files and subdirectories, or more than one path on the file system that each includes nested files and directories. In one embodiment, the metadata comprises mini-snapshots for directories representing a path from the root of the file system to the root of the snapshot. The mini-snapshots serve as stand-ins for portions of the file system which are not included in the snapshot, but which permit access to the snapshot data in an intuitive way.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2006Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Isilon Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Anderson, Neal T. Fachan, Eric M. Lemar, Aaron J. Passey, David W. Richards, Darren P. Schack
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Patent number: 7680836Abstract: In one embodiment, a user or client device is connected to a distributed file system comprised of one or more physical nodes. The data on each of the physical nodes store metadata about files and directories within the file system. Some of the embodiments permit a user to take a snapshot of data stored on the file system. The snapshot may include a single file, a single directory, a plurality of files within a directory, a plurality of directories, a path on the file system that includes nested files and subdirectories, or more than one path on the file system that each include nested files and directories. According to one embodiment, the system stores representations of the snapshots that govern a file or directory and its descendants within metadata associated with that file or directory. Before modifying a file or directory, the system updates the representations of the governing snapshots by traversing the metadata of ancestors of the file or directory.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2006Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Isilon Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Anderson, Neal T. Fachan, Justin M. Husted, Eric M. Lemar, Aaron J. Passey, Darren P. Schack
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Patent number: 7636860Abstract: A number of digital content rendering modules are equipped such that selective subsets of the modules may be employed to render digital content of different media, and of different format types. The modules are organized into a hierarchy, with a selected one occupying a root position of the hierarchy, to exclusively receive the digital contents to be rendered, and that each module is further responsible for verifying the integrity of its immediate downstream modules, to collectively protect the digital contents being rendered. Additionally, in accordance with another aspect, a tamper resistant module is employed to recover digital contents provided in a protected state, obfuscating the recovery. Further, the modules may be of different application domains.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2002Date of Patent: December 22, 2009Assignee: RealNetworks, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey M. Ayars, Rahul Agarwal, Alain Hamel, Darren P. Schack
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Patent number: 7509524Abstract: The intelligent distributed file system enables the storing of file data among a plurality of smart storage units which are accessed as a single file system. The intelligent distributed file system utilizes a metadata data structure to track and manage detailed information about each file, including, for example, the device and block locations of the file's data blocks, to permit different levels of replication and/or redundancy within a single file system, to facilitate the change of redundancy parameters, to provide high-level protection for metadata, to replicate and move data in real-time, and to permit the creation of virtual hot spares among the smart storage units without the need to idle any single smart storage unit in the intelligent distributed file system.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2006Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Isilon Systems Inc.Inventors: Sujal M. Patel, Paul A. Mikesell, Darren P. Schack, Aaron J. Passey
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Publication number: 20090055604Abstract: In one embodiment, a user or client device communicates with a distributed file system comprised of one or more physical nodes. The data on each of the physical nodes store metadata about files and directories within the file system. Some of the embodiments permit a user to take a snapshot of data stored on the file system. The snapshot may include a single file, a single directory, a plurality of files within a directory, a plurality of directories, a path on the file system that includes nested files and subdirectories, or more than one path on the file system that each includes nested files and directories. In some embodiments, systems and methods intelligently choose whether to use copy-on-write or point-in-time copy when saving data in a snapshot version of a file whose current version is being overwritten. In some embodiments, systems and methods allow snapshot users to return from a snapshot directory to the immediate parent directory from which the user entered into the snapshot.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2007Publication date: February 26, 2009Inventors: Eric M. Lemar, Darren P. Schack, Neal T. Fachan
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Publication number: 20090055607Abstract: In one embodiment, a user or client device communicates with a distributed file system comprised of one or more physical nodes. The data on each of the physical nodes store metadata about files and directories within the file system. Some of the embodiments permit a user to take a snapshot of data stored on the file system. The snapshot may include a single file, a single directory, a plurality of files within a directory, a plurality of directories, a path on the file system that includes nested files and subdirectories, or more than one path on the file system that each includes nested files and directories. In some embodiments, systems and methods intelligently choose whether to use copy-on-write or point-in-time copy when saving data in a snapshot version of a file whose current version is being overwritten. In some embodiments, systems and methods allow snapshot users to return from a snapshot directory to the immediate parent directory from which the user entered into the snapshot.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2007Publication date: February 26, 2009Inventors: Darren P. Schack, Eric M. Lemar, Neal T. Fachan
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Publication number: 20080243773Abstract: The intelligent distributed file system enables the storing of file data among a plurality of smart storage units which are accessed as a single file system. The intelligent distributed file system utilizes a metadata data structure to track and manage detailed information about each file, including, for example, the device and block locations of the file's data blocks, to permit different levels of replication and/or redundancy within a single file system, to facilitate the change of redundancy parameters, to provide high-level protection for metadata, to replicate and move data in real-time, and to permit the creation of virtual hot spares among the smart storage units without the need to idle any single smart storage unit in the intelligent distributed file system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2008Publication date: October 2, 2008Applicant: ISILON SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Sujal M. Patel, Paul A. Mikesell, Darren P. Schack, Aaron J. Passey
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Publication number: 20080151724Abstract: In some embodiments, storage devices, such as a storage drive or a storage node, in an array of storage devices may be reintroduced into the array of storage devices after a period of temporary unavailability without fully rebuilding the entire previously unavailable storage device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2006Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventors: Robert J. Anderson, Neal T. Fachan, Peter J. Godman, Justin M. Husted, Aaron J. Passey, David W. Richards, Darren P. Schack