Method for migrating open files on a busy file system
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorJulianne Frances Haugh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A process by which a system moves an open file from one location to another, then closes the open file on the former open file system. This migration affects all open instances of the file system object so that the file descriptors shared between open files remain shared after the migration operation. The innovative system and method can be used to move individual open files or mounted file systems within a hierarchical file system. Processes accessing the open files are not interrupted.
Claims23
A method of moving open files, comprising the steps of:
- blocking input and output to an open file stored at a first location;
- copying the open file from the first location to a second location;
- redirecting input and output requests to the open file from the first location to the second location;
- when the open file has been copied to the second location, unblocking input and output to the open file.
A method of moving a set of open files on a hierarchical file system, comprising the steps of:
- blocking input and output to a set of open files;
- copying the set of open files from a first location to a target directory;
- redirecting input and output requests to the set of open files from the first location to the target directory;
- when the set of open files has been copied to the target directory, unblocking input and output to the set of open files.
A method of moving open files, comprising the steps of:
- copying a first part of an open file from a first location to a second location;
- redirecting input and output requests for the first part from the first location to the second location;
- copying a second part of the open file from the first location to the second location;
- redirecting input and output requests for the second part from the first location to the second location.
A method of moving open files on a file system, comprising the steps of:
- copying a first part of an open file from a source directory to a target directory;
- updating a record of what part of the open file has been moved;
- redirecting input and output requests for the first part of the open file from the source directory to the target directory;
- wherein processes using the open file are not interrupted.
A computer system, comprising:
- a first storage location;
- a second storage location;
- file handling means capable of moving an open file from the first storage location to the second storage location;
- wherein when the open file is in the process of being moved from the first storage location to the second storage location, input and output requests to the open file are blocked;
- and
- wherein when the open fie is moved to the second location, input and output requests to the open file are no longer blocked and are redirected to the second storage location.
A computer system, comprising:
- a first storage location;
- a second storage location;
- file handling means capable of moving part or all of an open file from the first storage location to the second storage location;
- wherein the file handling means moves a first part of the open file to the second location and redirects input and output requests to the first part of the open file to the second location;
- wherein the file handling means moves a second part of the open file to the second location and redirects input and output requests to the second part of the open file to the second location.
A computer program, comprising:
- first instructions for copying a first part of an open file from a source directory to a target directory;
- second instructions for updating a record of what part of the open file has been moved;
- third instructions for redirecting input and output requests for the first part of the open file from the source directory to the target directory;
- wherein processes using the open file are not interrupted.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.