US 7,249,181 B2 · Generating unique identifiers in a computer system

Abstract

Generating unique identifiers (UUIDs) for software objects and other components in a network in which a large number of components may exist simultaneously and/or over a period of time. UUIDs generated by a particular product are divided into two sub-fields. One sub-field is stored in non-volatile memory, and incremented infrequently. The other sub-field is stored in volatile memory, that can be incremented frequently. During operation, the product creating the UUIDs generates new UUIDs by incrementing the field stored in volatile memory. When overflow of the volatile memory field occurs, the field stored in non-volatile memory is incremented. A block of non-volatile memory is initialized to all of a first logical state, and the bits therein are then sequentially cleared to generate a subsequent unique identifier. The present system provides the equivalent of a counter that can count up to the number of available bits in non-volatile memory plus one, while reducing the number of non-volatile memory erase cycles to one cycle for each time all the bits are cleared.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A method for creating a series of unique identifiers using a processor coupled to first memory and to at least one block of second memory slower than the first memory, the method comprising the steps of:

storing a predetermined identifier in said second memory and in said first memory;
setting a bit string in said second memory to a first logical value;
setting a number subfield and a range subfield, together comprising an extension field in said first memory, to a second logical value;
and
generating a monotonic sequence of said unique identifiers by repetitively performing the steps of:
incrementing said number subfield;
creating said unique identifier by concatenating said predetermined identifier and said extension field;
and
when said number subfield contains all of the first logical value, performing the steps of:
setting to the second logical value, a next sequential bit in the bit string in said second memory;
incrementing said range subfield in said first memory;
and
resetting said number subfield to the second logical value.

10 more elements

storing a predetermined identifier in said second memory and in said first memory;
setting a bit string in said second memory to a value of all of a first logical value;
setting a counter in said second memory to a value of a second logical value;
setting a number subfield and a range subfield, together comprising an extension field in said first memory, to the second logical value;
and
generating a monotonic sequence of said unique identifiers by repetitively performing the steps of:
incrementing said number subfield;
creating said unique identifier concatenating said predetermined identifier and said extension field;
and
when said number subfield contains all of the first logical value, performing the steps of:
incrementing said range subfield in said first memory;
and
resetting said number subfield to the second logical value;
setting to second logical value, a next sequential bit in the bit string in said second memory;
and
when said bit string in said second memory contains all of the second logical value, performing the steps of:
incrementing counter in said second memory;
and
resetting said bit string to all of the first logical value.

16 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Generating unique identifiers in a computer system

Life of this patent

Generating unique identifiers in a computer system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11