Content addressable information encapsulation, representation, and transfer

Abstract

Representing a number of assets on an originating computer begins with selecting the assets to be represented. Cryptographic hash asset identifiers are generated; each of the asset identifiers is computed using the contents of a particular asset. The asset identifier is a content-based or content-addressable asset name for the asset and is location independent. An asset list is generated that includes the asset identifiers computed from the assets. A cryptographic hash asset list identifier is generated that is computed from the asset list. The asset list identifier is stored for later retrieval. The assets selected are also stored for safekeeping either locally or on a computer network. In the event of loss of the files from the originating computer, the asset list identifier is retrieved. Using the asset list identifier, the original asset list is found and retrieved from its safe location. The asset identifiers from the retrieved asset list are used to find and retrieve the individual assets from their backup locations. The assets are verified by recomputing the cryptographic hash asset identifier for each asset retrieved and comparing it to the asset identifier from the asset list. The MD5 algorithm is used for the cryptographic hash function. Assets are retrieved using a multicast protocol. A series of importer programs searches for assets to retrieve in progressively more remote locations. Assets are retrieved whole or in segments.

1 . A method of managing a plurality of digital assets stored in a computer system comprising at least a first computer, the plurality of digital assets comprising a first digital asset, the first digital asset comprising data and having associated metadata, the method comprising acts of: 
 (A) creating a second digital asset that comprises at least some of the metadata associated with the first digital asset; and    (B) storing the second digital asset on the computer system so that the second digital asset is accessible as one of the plurality of digital assets.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first computer manages storage of the first digital asset, wherein the computer system further comprises a second computer having an application program that generates the first digital asset, and wherein the act (B) comprises an act of storing the second digital asset in a manner that enables the second digital asset to be accessed by the application program.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the act (A) comprises an act of creating a descriptor file that comprises the at least some of the metadata associated with the first digital asset, wherein the descriptor file is the second digital asset.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the act (A) comprises an act of creating the second digital asset to further comprise an identifier of the first digital asset.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first digital asset comprises content, and wherein the identifier of the first digital asset is based, at least in part, on a cryptographic hash of at least some of the content of the first digital asset.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the second digital asset comprises content, and wherein the act (B) comprises an act of creating an identifier of the second digital asset that is based, at least in part, on a cryptographic hash of at least some of the content of the second digital asset.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the act (B) comprises an act of storing the second digital asset as a file on the computer system.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising an act of: 
 (C) creating a unique identifier for the second digital asset, the unique identifier comprising information that identifies the second digital asset as belonging to a class of digital assets that comprise metadata relating to other digital assets.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising an act of: 
 (D) creating a unique identifier for the first digital asset, the unique identifier for the first digital asset comprising information that identifies the first digital asset as belonging to a class of digital assets that do not comprise metadata relating to other digital assets.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second digital asset comprises a unique identifier, and wherein the method further comprises acts of: 
 (C) creating a third digital asset that comprises the unique identifier of the second digital asset; and    (D) storing the third digital asset on the computer system.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the act (C) comprises an act of creating the third digital asset to comprise metadata relating to at least one of the plurality of digital assets.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the second digital asset is associated with a collection of digital assets, and wherein the metadata relating to at least one of the plurality of digital assets comprises metadata relating to the collection of assets.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first computer is a silo that manages storage of the first digital asset.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first computer is a file server that manages storage of the first digital asset.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first computer is a storage system that manages storage of the first digital asset.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the computer system comprises a plurality of computers in addition to the first computer, wherein the plurality of computers are interconnected by at least one network, and wherein each of the plurality of computers manages storage of one or more of the plurality of digital assets.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the computer system further comprises a second computer and at least one network, and wherein the first and second computers are peer computers coupled by the at least one network.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first computer manages storage of the second digital asset, and wherein the act (B) comprises an act of storing the second digital asset on the first computer.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first computer manages storage of the second digital asset, and wherein the act (B) comprises an act of storing the second digital asset on a storage device managed by the first computer.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the descriptor file that is the second digital asset is a first descriptor file, and wherein the method further comprises an act of: 
 (C) creating a third digital asset that comprises a second descriptor file, the second descriptor file not including an identifier that identifies any other of the plurality of digital assets.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the act (C) comprises an act of creating the second descriptor file to not include the content of at least one other of the plurality of digital assets embedded therein.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the act (A) comprises an act of creating the descriptor file to not include an identifier that identifies the first digital asset.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the act (A) comprises an act of creating the descriptor file to not include the content of the first digital asset embedded therein.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising an act of storing the first digital asset on the first computer separately from the descriptor file.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the act (A) comprises an act of creating the second digital asset to not include an identifier that identifies the first digital asset.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the act (A) comprises an act of creating the second digital asset to not include the content of the first digital asset embedded therein.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising an act of storing the first digital asset on the first computer separately from the second digital asset.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the act (A) comprises an act of creating the descriptor file to not include the content of the first digital asset embedded therein.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the act (A) comprises an act of creating the second digital asset to not include the content of the first digital asset embedded therein.  
   
   
       30 . At least one computer readable medium encoded with a plurality of instructions that, when executed, perform a method of managing a plurality of digital assets stored in a computer system comprising at least a first computer, the plurality of digital assets comprising a first digital asset, the first digital asset comprising data and having associated metadata, the method comprising acts of: 
 (A) creating a second digital asset that comprises at least some of the metadata associated with the first digital asset; and    (B) storing the second digital asset on the computer system so that the second digital asset is accessible as one of the plurality of digital assets.    
   
   
       31 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 30 , wherein the first computer manages storage of the first digital asset, wherein the computer system further comprises a second computer having an application program that generates the first digital asset, and wherein the act (B) comprises an act of storing the second digital asset in a manner that enables the second digital asset to be accessed by the application program.  
   
   
       32 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 30 , wherein the act (A) comprises an act of creating a descriptor file that comprises the at least some of the metadata associated with the first digital asset, wherein the descriptor file is the second digital asset.  
   
   
       33 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 30 , wherein the act (A) comprises an act of creating the second digital asset to further comprise an identifier of the first digital asset.  
   
   
       34 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 33 , wherein the first digital asset comprises content, and wherein the identifier of the first digital asset is based, at least in part, on a cryptographic hash of at least some of the content of the first digital asset.  
   
   
       35 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 34 , wherein the second digital asset comprises content, and wherein the act (B) comprises an act of creating an identifier of the second digital asset that is based, at least in part, on a cryptographic hash of at least some of the content of the second digital asset.  
   
   
       36 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 30 , wherein the act (B) comprises an act of storing the second digital asset as a file on the computer system.  
   
   
       37 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 30 , wherein the method further comprises an act of: 
 (C) creating a unique identifier for the second digital asset, the unique identifier comprising information that identifies the second digital asset as belonging to a class of digital assets that comprise metadata relating to other digital assets.    
   
   
       38 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 37 , wherein the method further comprises an act of: 
 (D) creating a unique identifier for the first digital asset, the unique identifier for the first digital asset comprising information that identifies the first digital asset as belonging to a class of digital assets that do not comprise metadata relating to other digital assets.    
   
   
       39 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 30 , wherein the second digital asset comprises a unique identifier, and wherein the method further comprises acts of: 
 (C) creating a third digital asset that comprises the unique identifier of the second digital asset; and    (D) storing the third digital asset on the computer system.    
   
   
       40 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 39 , wherein the act (C) comprises an act of creating the third digital asset to comprise metadata relating to at least one of the plurality of digital assets.  
   
   
       41 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 40 , wherein the second digital asset is associated with a collection of digital assets, and wherein the metadata relating to at least one of the plurality of digital assets comprises metadata relating to the collection of assets.  
   
   
       42 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 30 , wherein the first computer is a silo that manages storage of the first digital asset.  
   
   
       43 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 30 , wherein the first computer is a file server that manages storage of the first digital asset.  
   
   
       44 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 30 , wherein the first computer is a storage system that manages storage of the first digital asset.  
   
   
       45 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 30 , wherein the computer system comprises a plurality of computers in addition to the first computer, wherein the plurality of computers are interconnected by at least one network, and wherein each of the plurality of computers manages storage of one or more of the plurality of digital assets.  
   
   
       46 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 30 , wherein the computer system further comprises a second computer and at least one network, and wherein the first and second computers are peer computers coupled by the at least one network.  
   
   
       47 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 30 , wherein the first computer manages storage of the second digital asset, and wherein the act (B) comprises an act of storing the second digital asset on the first computer.  
   
   
       48 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 30 , wherein the first computer manages storage of the second digital asset, and wherein the act (B) comprises an act of storing the second digital asset on a storage device managed by the first computer.  
   
   
       49 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 32 , wherein the descriptor file that is the second digital asset is a first descriptor file, and wherein the method further comprises an act of: 
 (C) creating a third digital asset that comprises a second descriptor file, the second descriptor file not including an identifier that identifies any other of the plurality of digital assets.    
   
   
       50 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 49 , wherein the act (C) comprises an act of creating the second descriptor file to not include the content of at least one other of the plurality of digital assets embedded therein.  
   
   
       51 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 32 , wherein the act (A) comprises an act of creating the descriptor file to not include an identifier that identifies the first digital asset.  
   
   
       52 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 51 , wherein the act (A) comprises an act of creating the descriptor file to not include the content of the first digital asset embedded therein.  
   
   
       53 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 32 , wherein the method further comprises an act of storing the first digital asset on the first computer separately from the descriptor file.  
   
   
       54 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 30 , wherein the act (A) comprises an act of creating the second digital asset to not include an identifier that identifies the first digital asset.  
   
   
       55 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 54 , wherein the act (A) comprises an act of creating the second digital asset to not include the content of the first digital asset embedded therein.  
   
   
       56 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 30 , further comprising an act of storing the first digital asset on the first computer separately from the second digital asset.  
   
   
       57 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 32 , wherein the act (A) comprises an act of creating the descriptor file to not include the content of the first digital asset embedded therein.  
   
   
       58 . The at least one computer readable medium of  claim 30 , wherein the act (A) comprises an act of creating the second digital asset to not include the content of the first digital asset embedded therein.  
   
   
       59 . At least one computer for use in a computer system having a plurality of digital assets stored thereon, the plurality of digital assets comprising a first digital asset, the first digital asset comprising data and having associated metadata, the at least one computer comprising: 
 at least one processor programmed to create a second digital asset that comprises at least some of the metadata associated with the first digital asset and to store the second digital asset on the computer system so that the second digital asset is accessible as one of the plurality of digital assets.    
   
   
       60 . The at least one computer of  claim 59 , wherein the at least one computer comprises at least one first computer that manages storage of the first digital asset, wherein the computer system further comprises a second computer having an application program that generates the first digital asset, and wherein the at least one processor is programmed to store the second digital asset in a manner that enables the second digital asset to be accessed by the application program.  
   
   
       61 . The at least one computer of  claim 59 , wherein the at least one processor is programmed to create a descriptor file that comprises the at least some of the metadata associated with the first digital asset, wherein the descriptor file is the second digital asset.  
   
   
       62 . The at least one computer of  claim 59 , wherein the at least one processor is programmed to create the second digital asset to further comprise an identifier of the first digital asset.  
   
   
       63 . The at least one computer of  claim 62 , wherein the first digital asset comprises content, and wherein the identifier of the first digital asset is based, at least in part, on a cryptographic hash of at least some of the content of the first digital asset.  
   
   
       64 . The at least one computer of  claim 63 , wherein the second digital asset comprises content, and wherein the at least one processor is programmed to create an identifier of the second digital asset that is based, at least in part, on a cryptographic hash of at least some of the content of the second digital asset.  
   
   
       65 . The at least one computer of  claim 59 , wherein the at least one processor is programmed to store the second digital asset as a file on the computer system.  
   
   
       66 . The at least one computer of  claim 59 , wherein the at least one processor is programmed to create a unique identifier for the second digital asset, the unique identifier comprising information that identifies the second digital asset as belonging to a class of digital assets that comprise metadata relating to other digital assets.  
   
   
       67 . The at least one computer of  claim 66 , wherein the at least one processor is programmed to create a unique identifier for the first digital asset, the unique identifier for the first digital asset comprising information that identifies the first digital asset as belonging to a class of digital assets that do not comprise metadata relating to other digital assets.  
   
   
       68 . The at least one computer of  claim 59 , wherein the second digital asset comprises a unique identifier, and wherein the at least one processor is programmed to create a third digital asset that comprises the unique identifier of the second digital asset and to store the third digital asset on the computer system.  
   
   
       69 . The at least one computer of  claim 68 , wherein the at least one processor is programmed to create the third digital asset to comprise metadata relating to at least one of the plurality of digital assets.  
   
   
       70 . The at least one computer of  claim 69 , wherein the second digital asset is associated with a collection of digital assets, and wherein the metadata relating to at least one of the plurality of digital assets comprises metadata relating to the collection of assets.  
   
   
       71 . The at least one computer of  claim 59 , wherein the at least one computer is a silo that manages storage of the first digital asset.  
   
   
       72 . The at least one computer of  claim 59 , wherein the at least one computer is a file server that manages storage of the first digital asset.  
   
   
       73 . The at least one computer of  claim 59 , wherein the at least one computer is a storage system that manages storage of the first digital asset.  
   
   
       74 . The at least one computer of  claim 59 , wherein the at least one computer comprises a first computer, wherein the computer system comprises a plurality of computers in addition to the first computer, wherein the plurality of computers are interconnected by at least one network, and wherein each of the plurality of computers manages storage of one or more of the plurality of digital assets.  
   
   
       75 . The at least one computer of  claim 59 , wherein the at least one computer comprises a first computer, wherein the computer system further comprises a second computer and at least one network, and wherein the first and second computers are peer computers coupled by the at least one network.  
   
   
       76 . The at least one computer of  claim 59 , wherein the at least one computer comprises a first computer, wherein the first computer manages storage of the second digital asset, and wherein the at least one processor is programmed to store the second digital asset on the first computer.  
   
   
       77 . The at least one computer of  claim 59 , wherein the at least one computer comprises a first computer, wherein the first computer manages storage of the second digital asset, and wherein the at least one processor is programmed to store the second digital asset on a storage device managed by the first computer.  
   
   
       78 . The at least one computer of  claim 61 , wherein the descriptor file that is the second digital asset is a first descriptor file, and wherein the at least one processor is programmed to create a third digital asset that comprises a second descriptor file, the second descriptor file not including an identifier that identifies any other of the plurality of digital assets.  
   
   
       79 . The at least one computer of  claim 78 , wherein the at least one processor is programmed to create the second descriptor file to not include the content of at least one other of the plurality of digital assets embedded therein.  
   
   
       80 . The at least one computer of  claim 61 , wherein the at least one processor is programmed to create the descriptor file to not include an identifier that identifies the first digital asset.  
   
   
       81 . The at least one computer of  claim 80 , wherein the at least one processor is programmed to create the descriptor file to not include the content of the first digital asset embedded therein.  
   
   
       82 . The at least one computer of  claim 61 , wherein the at least one processor is programmed to store the first digital asset on the first computer separately from the descriptor file.  
   
   
       83 . The at least one computer of  claim 59 , wherein the at least one processor is programmed to create the second digital asset to not include an identifier that identifies the first digital asset.  
   
   
       84 . The at least one computer of  claim 83 , wherein the at least one processor is programmed to create the second digital asset to not include the content of the first digital asset embedded therein.  
   
   
       85 . The at least one computer of  claim 59 , wherein the at least one processor is programmed to store the first digital asset on the first computer separately from the second digital asset.  
   
   
       86 . The at least one computer of  claim 61 , wherein the at least one processor is programmed to create the descriptor file to not include the content of the first digital asset embedded therein.  
   
   
       87 . The at least one computer of  claim 59 , wherein the at least one processor is programmed to create the second digital asset to not include the content of the first digital asset embedded therein.