FAST FILE ATTRIBUTE SEARCH

A method of performing a file search with specified attribute criteria includes generating or having access to a file system image of the data storage system. A substantially sequential scan of the file system image can then be performed. Based on the scan, a list of inodes (called a specified criteria inode map) on the file system image that have the specified attribute criteria can be built. This sequential scan eliminates the random scan of the file system image, thereby dramatically reducing the total time associated with reading of the inodes. A file tree of the data storage system can then be walked to find inodes (in the file tree) that match inodes in the specified criteria inode map. A list of files that correspond to matching inodes can thus be quickly and easily generated.