Coherent File State System Distributed Among Workspace Clients
First Claim
1. A system comprising at least one file state server and a plurality of network attached workspace client apparatuses;
- wherein a file state server comprises a processor adapted by a software program product torecord all workspace clients where managed file content is stored,maintain the temporal state of files in workspace clients,
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system comprising at least one file state server and a plurality of network attached workspace client apparatuses; operating the file state server by receiving an update to a version tracking record from each workspace client apparatus whenever a new or modified file is committed into a file system view, by archiving every version of every committed file, by transmitting a version tracking parameter to a workspace client apparatus in response to a query as to the data freshness of a certain file in a file system view, and by updating a workspace client apparatus with a list of peer workspace client apparatuses; operating the workspace client apparatus by aging files and removing the least recently used file from local store, exchanging file system views of committed files with peer workspace client apparatuses, updating a list of peer workspace client apparatuses, requesting a data block of a committed file from a peer workspace client apparatus, transmitting an archive copy and a version tracking parameter to a file state server for each file committed into a file system view, and querying a file state server for a version tracking parameter for a data block read request.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system comprising at least one file state server and a plurality of network attached workspace client apparatuses;
wherein a file state server comprises a processor adapted by a software program product to record all workspace clients where managed file content is stored, maintain the temporal state of files in workspace clients, - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for operating a file state server comprising
receiving an update to a version tracking record from each workspace client apparatus whenever a new or modified file is committed into a file system view, transmitting a version tracking parameter to a workspace client apparatus in response to a query as to the data freshness of a certain file in a file system view, and updating a workspace client apparatus with a list of peer workspace client apparatuses.
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5. A method for operating a workspace client apparatus comprising
transmitting a content point value and a change log serial value to a file state server for each managed file when it is committed, and requesting a content point value and a change log serial value from a file state server for each managed file when it is read.
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10. A method for operating a system comprising the following steps within a second workspace client,
receiving a request for a certain block from a peer workspace client, within a file state server, receiving a request from a first workspace client and transmitting the current status of a certain file; -
within a first workspace client, intercepting at least one file block read requested by a user, requesting a current status of the file from the file state server, determining that at least one block of the current file is not within the local store, obtaining at least one candidate peer workspace client from a peer space circuit, and transmitting a block request to at least one peer workspace client. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A system for coherent file state management comprising
a network coupled to at least one file state server apparatus, the network further coupled to a plurality of workspace client apparatus wherein each workspace client apparatus comprises a local file store, a network adapter, a user interface, a file system view circuit, wherein the file system view circuit presents to the user a display of pre-managed files, and managed files, wherein managed files comprise change logs and content points; -
wherein a file state server apparatus comprises a network adapter, a temporal store, a temporal circuit, and a workspace client store wherein the temporal circuit receives and transmits the change logs and content points of each managed file and which content point are active for each file system view, and wherein the workspace client store receives and transmits the identities and network address of every attached workspace client apparatus.
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13. A method for operating a system comprising the steps:
within each workspace client apparatus exchanging with other workspace clients file information, responding to requests for managed file from a workstation, presenting a file state view to a user, updating a file state server with state information for each file in the file state view. within a file state server apparatus receiving and serving file state information, - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A method for operating a workspace client apparatus comprising the following processes:
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updating managed file information comprising receiving information about workspace clients from other workspace clients receiving information about workspace clients from the file state server presenting a file system view of files managed by the file state server presenting a file system view of unmanaged files local to the workspace client providing managed files to other workspace clients upon receiving a network request for a managed file from a peer workspace client, examining local file store for requested file, transmitting change log for requested file, transmitting content point for request file, transmitting identities of workspace clients known to have the requested file, exchanging updated file state views of managed files; upon receiving a local user file write storing the file to locally attached file store, if the file is a managed file, determining a change log to a content point, transmitting to a file state server apparatus the current file state, updating the file system view; upon receiving a local user file read retrieving the file from locally attached file store, if the file is a managed file not in locally attached file store, if possible, satisfy request from within current holdings, and if possible, satisfy request from other workstation client. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification