Distributed network data storage system and method
First Claim
1. A system for organizing distributed file storage, including:
- a highly scalable set of servers;
a unified client-server model;
a standard set of network services; and
a small dynamic list of the closest neighbor servers which is maintained by each member of said set of servers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is a system and method for distributed, highly scalable, wide area peer-to-peer network data storage. The functionally equivalent servers in the system are divided into groups. Each server maintains a dynamic list which is polled to determine the availability of the closest neighbor servers. Each server is switched between the groups of servers to optimize network connectivity parameters. Data and directory files are divided into a plurality of pieces which are stored on different servers. Files are uniformly and independently named, utilizing a tree with a common root, logical pathways, and unique file identifiers. When a server receives a client request for file system access, the plurality of file pieces are collected and sent to the client server from the neighbor servers simultaneously in order to optimize bandwidth. Servers with maximum throughput capacity are utilized for highest transmission speed and reduced processing time.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A system for organizing distributed file storage, including:
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a highly scalable set of servers;
a unified client-server model;
a standard set of network services; and
a small dynamic list of the closest neighbor servers which is maintained by each member of said set of servers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for organizing distributed file storage including the steps of:
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utilizing a plurality of servers in a highly scalable set of servers;
supporting a standard set of network services by each member of said plurality of servers;
wherein said plurality of servers is divided into more than one group of servers;
wherein each member of said plurality of servers belongs to at least one of said more than one group of servers; and
wherein each member of said plurality of servers maintains only a small dynamic list of the closest neighbor members of said plurality of servers. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of client access to a distributed file storage system, including the steps of:
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utilizing a plurality of servers in a highly scalable set of servers;
supporting a standard set of network services by each member of said plurality of servers;
wherein said plurality of servers is divided into more than one group of servers;
wherein each member of said plurality of servers belongs to at least one of said more than one group of servers; and
wherein each member of said plurality of servers maintains only a small dynamic list of the closest neighbor members of said plurality of servers. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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19. A method of naming files inside a distributed file storage system, including the steps of:
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utilizing a plurality of servers in a highly scalable set of servers;
supporting a standard set of network services by each member of said plurality of servers;
naming said files uniformly within said storage system;
naming said files independently of any member of said plurality of servers;
wherein said plurality of servers is divided into more than one group of servers;
wherein each member of said plurality of servers belongs to at least one of said more than one group of servers; and
wherein each member of said plurality of servers maintains only a small dynamic list of the closest neighbor members of said plurality of servers.
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Specification