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Distributing and accessing data in a data processing system

DC CAFC
  • US 7,945,539 B2
  • Filed: 10/31/2007
  • Issued: 05/17/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method of distributing a data item in a network of computers, the method comprising the steps of:

  • (A) dividing the data item into a plurality of segments;

    (B) hardware in combination with software determining a plurality of segment identifiers, said plurality of segment identifiers comprising a segment identifier for each particular segment of said plurality of segments, the segment identifier for each particular segment being based, at least in part, on a first given function of the data comprising said particular segment and only the data in said particular segment, where any two identical segments will have identical segment identifiers as determined by said first given function;

    (C) hardware in combination with software determining a data item identifier for said data item, said data item identifier being based, at least in part, on a second given function of a second data item comprising said plurality of segment identifiers, the second given function comprising a message digest function or a hash function;

    (D) maintaining an association between said data item identifier and said second data item; and

    (E) causing each segment of said plurality of segments to be stored on at least some computers in said network;

    (F) maintaining information about the locations in said network at which said segments have been stored; and

    (G) making the information available to other locations in said network.

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