System and method for storage of snapshot metadata in a remote file

A method for operating a computer data storage system, comprising:

• arranging a plurality of physical data storage units into a plurality of volumes;
• arranging a volume of said plurality of volumes into a sub-organization, the sub-organization including a qtree;
• and
• defining a plurality of fixed length records each including a plurality of fields having state information related to the sub-organization, and at least one of the fields being related to a qtree identifier, the records being stored in a metadata file at a location outside of the sub-organization.

A computer readable media, comprising:

• said computer readable media having instructions written thereon for execution on a processor for the practice for storing information related to a computer data storage system, comprising:
• arranging a plurality of physical data storage units into a plurality of volumes;
• arranging a volume of said plurality of volumes into a sub-organization, the sub-organization including a qtree;
• and
• defining a plurality of fixed length records each including a plurality of fields having state information related to the sub-organization, and at least one of the fields being related to a qtree identifier, the records being stored in a metadata file at a location outside of the sub-organization.