Server for synchronization of files

• US 20020194205A1
• Filed: 03/15/2002
• Published: 12/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Micro Focus Software, Inc. (Open Text Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Novell Incorporated (Open Text Corporation)
• Inventors: Wein, Josef, Brown, David K., Rolander, Thomas A., Silberstein, Robert D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,035,847 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/1787 Details of non-transparently synchronising file systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability

Abstract

A server stores files. Distributed clients access the server, to learn about changes made to the files on the server, and to push local changes of the files onto the server. A synchronization application is used to synchronize the clients and server, synchronizing metadata and selected files.

Claims

1. A synchronization file system installed on a server, comprising:

means for assigning a server ID (SID) to a metadata item for a directory entry; and

a server sync index (SSI).

2. A synchronization file system according to claim 1, further comprising means for assigning a sync index to the metadata item.

3. A synchronization file system according to claim 1, further comprising means for updating the SSI when a change occurs to the directory entry.

4. A synchronization file system according to claim 1, wherein:

the directory entry is a directory; and

the synchronization file system further comprises means for assigning a directory sync index to the metadata item for the directory.

5. A synchronization file system according to claim 1, further comprising means for storing a change time to the metadata item for the directory entry.

6. A synchronization file system according to claim 1, wherein:

the directory entry is a file; and

the synchronization file system further comprises means for assigning a previous version file ID (PFID) to the metadata item for the file.

7. A synchronization file system according to claim 1, wherein:

the directory entry includes a name; and

the synchronization file system further comprises means for storing an encrypted version of the name in the metadata item for the directory entry.

8. A synchronization file system according to claim 1, wherein:

the directory entry is a file; and

the synchronization file system further comprises means for storing an encrypted version of the file.

9. A synchronization file system according to claim 1, wherein:

the directory entry is a file;

the file includes a message digest array (MDA); and

the synchronization file system further comprises means for storing the MDA.

10. A synchronization file system according to claim 9, wherein the means for storing includes means for storing the MDA with the file.

11. A synchronization file system according to claim 9, wherein the means for storing includes means for storing the MDA in the metadata item.

12. A synchronization file system according to claim 1, further comprising means for generating a server sync data (SSD).

13. A synchronization file system according to claim 12, wherein the means for generating includes means for generating a SSD responsive to a client sync index (CSI).

15_190. #22. A synchronization file system according to claim 14, further comprising a metadata item for the directory storing the server ID assigned to the directory.

16_190. #23. A synchronization file system according to claim 15#22, wherein the metadata item for the directory further stores a directory sync index assigned to the directory.

17_190. #24. A synchronization file system according to claim 15#22, wherein the metadata item for the directory further stores a change time assigned to the directory.

18_190. #25. A synchronization file system according to claim 15#22, wherein:

the directory includes a name; and

the metadata item for the directory further stores an encrypted name assigned to the directory.

19_190. #15. A synchronization file system according to claim 15#22, wherein the metadata item for the directory further stores a sync index assigned to the directory.

20_190. #16. A synchronization file system according to claim 14, further comprising:

a file in the directory;

a second server ID assigned to the file; and

a second sync index assigned to the file.

29_190. #26. A synchronization file system according to claim 14, further comprising a server sync data (SSD).

14. A synchronization file system installed on a server, comprising:

a directory in a user account in the sync file system;

a server ID assigned to the directory; and

a server sync index for the user account.

30. A method for a synchronization file system of a server to synchronize a first directory on the synchronization file system with a second directory on a client, comprising:

receiving a client sync index (CSI) from the client;

transmitting a server sync index (SSI) to the client; and

using the CSI and SSI to determine whether the server and client are synchronized.

31. A method according to claim 30, further comprising:

generating a server sync data (SSD); and

transmitting the SSD to the client.

32. A method according to claim 30, further comprising:

receiving a request from the client for a file;

transmitting the file to the client.

33. A method according to claim 32, wherein:

receiving a request includes receiving a request for a message digest array (MDA) for the file; and

transmitting the file includes transmitting the MDA to the client.

34. A method according to claim 33, wherein:

receiving a request includes receiving a request from the client for a block of the file; and

transmitting the file includes transmitting the block of the file to the client.

36. A method according to claim 35, further comprising the synchronization file system assigning the SSI to a metadata item.

37. A method according to claim 35, wherein:

receiving an instruction includes receiving a metadata item from the client; and

performing the instruction includes adding the metadata item to a server SFS database.

38. A method according to claim 35, wherein performing the instruction includes modifying a metadata item.

39. A method according to claim 35, wherein performing an instruction includes:

creating a second directory in the first directory;

assigning a server ID (SID) to the second directory; and

transmitting the SID for the second directory to the client.

40. A method according to claim 35, wherein performing an instruction includes:

receiving a file from the client;

adding the file into a server SFS database;

assigning a server ID (SID) to the file; and

transmitting the SID for the file to the client.

41. A method according to claim 40, wherein performing an instruction further includes:

receiving a request for a message digest array (MDA); and

transmitting the MDA to the client.

42. A method according to claim 40, wherein receiving a file includes:

copying the file to a temporary file;

receiving a block of the file;

incorporating the block into the temporary copy of the file; and

adding the temporary copy of the file into a server SFS database.

35. A method for a synchronization file system of a server to synchronize a first directory on the synchronization file system with a second directory on a client, comprising:

receiving an instruction from the client to update a directory entry;

performing the instruction;

updating a server sync index (SSI); and

transmitting the updated SSI to the client.

43. Computer-readable media containing a program for a synchronization file system of a server to synchronize a first directory on the synchronization file system with a second directory on a client, comprising:

software for receiving a client sync index (CSI) from the client;

software for transmitting a server sync index (SSI) to the client; and

software for using the CSI and SSI to determine whether the server and client are synchronized.

44. Computer-readable media containing a program for a synchronization file system of a server to synchronize a first directory on the synchronization file system with a second directory on a client, comprising:

software for receiving an instruction from the client to update a directory entry;

software for performing the instruction;

software for updating a server sync index (SSI); and

software for transmitting the updated SSI to the client.

21_190. #16a. A synchronization file system according to claim 20#16, further comprising a metadata item for the file storing the second server ID assigned to the file and the second sync index assigned to the file.

22_190. #17. A synchronization file system according to claim 21#16a, wherein the metadata item for the file further stores a previous version file ID (PFID) assigned to the file.

23_190. #17a. A synchronization file system according to claim 21#16a, wherein the metadata item for the file further stores a change time assigned to the file.

24_190. #17b. A synchronization file system according to claim 21#16a, wherein:

the file includes a name; and

the metadata item for the file further stores an encrypted name assigned to the file.

25_190. #18. A synchronization file system according to claim 20#16, wherein the file is an encrypted file.

26_190. #19. A synchronization file system according to claim 20#16, further comprising a message digest array (MDA).

27_190. #20. A synchronization file system according to claim 26#19, wherein the MDA is stored with the file.

28_190. #21. A synchronization file system according to claim 26#19, wherein the MDA is stored in a metadata item for the file.