Abstract: A file namespace hierarchy bypass and method to access files are provided. The bypass can be employed, for example, as a computer-readable medium with instructions for generating a unique identifier associated with a file and instructions for accessing the file based on the unique identifier and a specified search space. A computer-readable medium having instructions for obtaining the unique identifier and specified search space associated with the file and instructions for generating a path designation by combining the unique identifier and the specified search space used to access the file may also be employed. The method for bypassing the namespace hierarchy of the file, for example, may include passing the unique identifier and specified search space to a program and accessing the file based on a path designation generated by the program by combining the unique identifier and specified search space.

Abstract: A file stream exchange system and method are provided. The system can be employed, for example, with a storage system that supports transactions as a primary mechanism and employs a rich type system. The system provides a mechanism for the storage system to provide reliable updates to file streams while preserving the common criteria for security. The system employs a unique way of remapping the file-streams associated with the file-backed items that eliminates the need for copying over basic attributes, security information and timestamps etc. Significantly, the system does not rename the files involved in the operation nor does the system rely on attribute tunneling to copy over any subset of attributes for the completion of the task. The system includes a replace stream component which is a kernel mode mechanism that allows transactional exchange of stream data of two file-backed items without violating the common criteria for security.