Patent attributes
A method for protecting history in a file system in which rules governing which versions of files must be retained, and for how long, are enforced by one or more storage systems attached to a network, the method comprising associating with a storage system a time standard configured to prevent the accuracy of the time standard from being manipulated over the network, storing file information in the storage system, with files stored as objects adapted for separate retrieval in any order, storing, in the storage system, directory information which is sufficient to allow files to be retrieved starting from file system pathnames, marking at least some versions of files as archival file versions not subject to further change, and assigning an expiration time to each of at least some of the archival file versions, preventing storage system clients from deleting archival file versions before their expiration times, and allowing individual archival file versions that have passed their expiration times to be deleted and their storage space reused, with the decision to delete a particular archival file version being capable of being made separately and independently from the decision to delete other archival file versions.
