Distributed storage array
OwnerAlan M. Franzenburginventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device for storing distributed data in a networked storage array. The device includes a mass storage controller associated with a network. A mass storage device is included that is controlled by the mass storage controller. The mass storage device includes a portion of the distributed data. Client systems are included that have a mass storage, and each store a portion of the distributed data as directed by the mass storage controller. The distributed data is stored in a distributed storage file of the client system's mass storage. The client systems' mass storage is used primarily for the client system's data.
Claims25
A device for storing distributed data in a networked storage array, comprising:
- a mass storage controller associated with a network;
- a mass storage device that is controlled by the mass storage controller, wherein the mass storage device includes a portion of the distributed data;
- and
- a plurality of client systems, having client mass storage, that each store a portion of the distributed data in a distributed storage file on the client mass storage, as directed by the mass storage controller, wherein the client mass storage is used primarily for the client system's data.
A device for storing distributed data in a networked storage array, comprising:
- a mass storage controller associated with a network;
- a plurality of mass storage devices that are controlled by the mass storage controller, wherein each mass storage device includes a portion of the distributed data;
- and
- a plurality of client systems that communicate with the mass storage controller, each having a client mass storage device, including a distributed storage file configured to store parity data.
A device for storing distributed data in a networked storage array, comprising:
- a mass storage controller associated with a network;
- a plurality of mass storage devices that are controlled by the mass storage controller, wherein the mass storage devices each include a portion of the distributed data;
- and
- a plurality of client systems in communication with the mass storage controller, each having at least one client mass storage with a distributed storage file, wherein distributed data that is written to the mass storage devices through the mass storage controller is mirrored to the distributed storage file on the client mass storage.
A method for installing a common operating environment from a distributed storage array on a network, the method comprising the steps of:
- dividing a common operating environment image into a plurality of image segments, wherein the common operating environment image includes an operating system and applications;
- allocating a distributed storage file in a mass storage on each of a plurality of client systems where image segments can reside;
- storing the image segments in the distributed storage files of the client systems as directed by a storage array controller;
- and
- adding a target client to the network that calls for a common operating environment;
- and
- installing the common operating environment image onto the target client from the image segments in the distributed storage files.
A device for storing distributed data in a networked storage array, comprising:
- means for controlling the storage of distributed data on a network;
- means for mass storage that is controlled by the controller means, wherein the means for mass storage stores a portion of the distributed data;
- and
- a plurality of client systems, each having means for storing mass client data, which each store a portion of the distributed data in a distributed storage file on the means for storing mass client data, as directed by the means for controlling the storage, wherein means for storing mass client data is used primarily for the client system's data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.