A method and system for allocating storage space on a storage device to a requesting entity. The storage device includes a set of extents. An allocation map is maintained in computer memory. The allocation map has a plurality of map blocks, the map blocks each having a plurality of map entries. The map...http://www.google.se/patents/US7949846?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7949846 - Map shuffle-allocation map protection without extra I/O'S using minimal extra disk space
