Abstract: A method and system for caching filenames of a directory that is striped across the volumes serviced by a plurality of storage server nodes. The method comprises storing a filename in a first volume and a second volume of the striped volume set in the same locations within the respective volumes. The same locations within the respective volumes refer to the same locations with respect to a reference point of a directory structure in the respective volumes.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for data allocation within a storage system architecture. One or more nodes of the storage system architecture provides access to striped data stored on a striped volume set. Each node can store a volume of the striped volume set. Further, the striped volume set is identified by a striping table. When modifying the storage system architecture, such as adding a volume to, or removing a volume from, the striped volume set, the striping table is rearranged to accurately identify the location of striped data on the striped volume set. At least one restriping process implemented on the striping table affects the volume utilization efficiency, hot-spotting behavior, and distribution efficiency of the striped volume set.

Abstract: A system and method caches and distributes meta-data for one or more data containers stored on a plurality of volumes configured as a striped volume set (SVS) and served by a plurality of nodes interconnected as a cluster. The SVS comprises one meta-data volume (MDV) configured to store a canonical copy of certain meta-data, including access control lists and directories, associated with all data containers stored on the SVS, and one or more data volumes (DV) configured to store, at least, data content of those containers. In addition, for each data container stored on the SVS, one volume is designated a container attribute volume (CAV) and, as such, is configured to store (“cache”) a canonical copy of certain, rapidly-changing attribute meta-data, including time stamps and container length, associated with that container.

Abstract: A system and method re-stripes one or more data containers across a striped volume set (SVS) that has been modified by the addition of one or more volumes. The SVS is associated with an existing set of striping rules that define a stripe algorithm, a stripe width and an ordered list of volumes distributed across a plurality of nodes interconnected as a cluster. Each node of the cluster includes (i) a disk element (D-blade) adapted to service a volume of the SVS and (ii) a network element (N-blade) adapted to redirect a data access request to any D-blade of the cluster. Notably, the content of each data container is apportioned among the volumes of the SVS to thereby improve the efficiency of storage service provided by the cluster. To that end, the stripe algorithm specifies the manner in which the data container content is apportioned as stripes across the plurality of volumes, while the stripe width specifies the size/width of each stripe.

Abstract: A storage system architecture comprises one or more volumes distributed across a plurality of nodes interconnected as a cluster. The volumes are organized as a striped volume set (SVS) and configured to store content of data containers served by the cluster in response to multi-protocol data access requests issued by clients. Each node of the cluster includes (i) a storage server adapted to service a volume of the SVS and (ii) a multi-protocol engine adapted to redirect the data access requests to any storage server of the cluster. Notably, the content of each data container is apportioned among the volumes of the SVS to thereby improve the efficiency of storage service provided by the cluster.