Lookup Partitioning Storage System and Method

Abstract

A method, system, and computer-readable medium for accessing and managing an online storage system is disclosed. Access to a storage resource in a multiple server storage system is provided by sending to a lookup partitioning service server a resource identifier that is associated with a storage resource stored in a particular storage partition of a storage server. The LPS returns the looked-up partition that stores the storage resource associated with the resource identifier. Access to the storage resource is then enabled to the looked-up storage partition.

1 . A computer implemented method comprising:
 obtaining from a front end server, a resource identifier to be associated with a storage resource in a multiple storage server system;   utilizing the resource identifier to determine in a lookup store of a lookup partitioning service server that no storage resource exists;   calculating a load balancing factor for each of a plurality of storage partitions of the multiple storage server system;   determining, using the load balancing factors, at least one storage partition of a storage server in which a new storage resource should be created;   creating the new storage resource in the at least one storage partition;   associating the resource identifier with the at least one storage partition in the lookup store; and   granting access to the new storage resource by providing a location of the at least one storage partition of the storage server to the front end server.   
   
   
       2 . A computer implemented method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the load balancing factor is based on a mapping number. 
   
   
       3 . A computer implemented method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the load balancing factor is based on a count of mapping accesses. 
   
   
       4 . A computer implemented method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the load balancing factor is based on a manual waiting value. 
   
   
       5 . A computer implemented method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the new storage resource is directed to a level in a storage hierarchy. 
   
   
       6 . A computer implemented method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each storage server in the multiple storage server system comprises a primary storage resource partition and at least one redundant storage resource partition. 
   
   
       7 . A computer implemented method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising associating via a bucket value generated by a hash function a primary lookup partitioning service partition and its corresponding redundant lookup partitioning service partition. 
   
   
       8 . One or more computer-readable storage media storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, configure a lookup partitioning server to perform acts comprising:
 receiving a resource identifier to be associated with a storage resource in a multiple storage server system;   utilizing the resource identifier to determine in a lookup store of the lookup partitioning service server that no storage resource exists;   calculating a load balancing factor for each of a plurality of storage partitions of the multiple storage server system;   determining, using the load balancing factors, at least one storage partition in which a new storage resource should be created;   creating the new storage resource in the at least one storage partition;   associating the resource identifier with the at least one storage partition in the lookup store; and   granting access to the new storage resource by providing a location of the at least one storage partition.   
   
   
       9 . One or more computer-readable storage media as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the load balancing factor is based on a mapping number. 
   
   
       10 . One or more computer-readable storage media as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the load balancing factor is based on a count of mapping accesses. 
   
   
       11 . One or more computer-readable storage media as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the load balancing factor is based on a manual waiting value. 
   
   
       12 . One or more computer-readable storage media as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the new storage resource is directed to a level in a storage hierarchy. 
   
   
       13 . A system comprising:
 a front-end server;   a lookup partitioning service server; and   a storage server;   the lookup partitioning service server comprising a primary lookup partitioning service partition and at least one redundant lookup partitioning service partition, and the lookup partitioning service server being configured to determine a location of a storage partition on the storage server based at least on a resource identifier;   the storage server comprising a primary storage resource partition and at least one redundant storage resource partition; and   the front-end server being configured to:
 receive the resource identifier from a client; 
 communicate with the lookup partitioning service server to locate a storage resource; and 
 request a storage operation on behalf of the client. 
   
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the lookup partitioning service server is further configured to:
 utilize the resource identifier to determine that no storage resource exists;   calculate a load balancing factor for each of a plurality of storage partitions;   determine, using the load balancing factors, at least one storage partition in which a new storage resource should be created; and   create the new storage resource in the at least one storage partition.   
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the load balancing factor is based on a mapping number. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the load balancing factor is based on a count of mapping accesses. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the load balancing factor is based on a manual waiting value. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the new storage resource is directed to a level in a storage hierarchy. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein each primary lookup partitioning service partition and its corresponding redundant lookup partitioning service partition are associated with a bucket value generated by a hash function. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the corresponding redundant lookup partitioning service partition is utilized when the primary lookup partitioning service partition is unavailable.