PRIORITIZING FILE SYNCHRONIZATION IN A DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING SYSTEM

• US 20140289189A1
• Filed: 03/18/2014
• Published: 09/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Razer (Asia-Pacific) Pte. Ltd. (Razer Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Nextbit Systems, Inc. (Razer Incorporated)
• Inventors: Chan, Michael A., Moss, Tom, Bornstein, Daniel R., Quan, Justin, Tong, Linda
• Granted Patent: US 9,965,489 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/610
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1451 by selection of backup contents
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1464 for networked environments
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1469 Backup restoration techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/113 Details of archiving lifecycle management in storage systems G06F3/0649; backup systems G06F11/1446
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/116 Details of conversion of file system types or formats
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/122 using management policies backup systems G06F11/1446; file migration policies for HSM systems G06F16/185
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/16 File or folder operations, e.g. details of user interfaces specifically adapted to file systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/168 Details of user interfaces specifically adapted to file systems, e.g. browsing and visualisation, 2d or 3d GUIs query results presentation G06F16/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/1734 Details of monitoring file system events, e.g. by the use of hooks, filter drivers, logs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/178 Techniques for file synchronisation in file systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/1787 Details of non-transparently synchronising file systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/182 Distributed file systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24578 using ranking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/27 Replication, distribution or synchronisation of data between databases or within a distributed database system; Distributed database system architectures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/44 Encoding
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/54 Interprogram communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0816 the condition being an adaptation, e.g. in response to network events
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/70 Admission control; Resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/78 Architectures of resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 : specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 : in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1095 : Replication or mirroring of data, e.g. scheduling or transport for data synchronisation between network nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1097 : for distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 : User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 : Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/04 : Protocols for data compression, e.g. ROHC
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 : Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

Technology is disclosed for performing a priority synchronization of a computing device to download a selected set of data files to the computing device from a distributed backup system. Data files are downloaded to a computing device by synchronizing the computing device with a server of the distributed backup system. A priority sync downloads a subset of the data files (“priority files”) rather than all of the data files of the user, thereby minimizing the computing resources consumed to download the data files. The priority sync can select the priority files based on various criteria, including an access pattern of the data files, attributes of the data files, or attributes of the computing device. The priority sync can also download the data files not identified as priority files (“non-priority files”). While the priority files are downloaded in their original format, the non-priority files are downloaded in a downgraded format.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for synchronizing a computing device of a user with a distributed backup system, the method comprising:

receiving, at a server in the distributed backup system, a request to synchronize the computing device with the server to download multiple data files of the user to the computing device;

determining, by the server, whether the computing device has not been synchronized with the server previously;

responsive to a determination that the computing device has not been synchronized previously, performing, by the server, a priority synchronization of the computing device, the priority synchronization identifying a subset of the data files as priority files for transmission to the computing device, the priority files identified based at least in part on access pattern of the data files by the user on a set of computing devices associated with the user; and

transmitting, by the server, the priority files to the computing device.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the access pattern includes (a) a frequency of access of a particular data file of the data files, (b) a frequency of access of the particular data file using a first computing device similar to the computing device, (c) a period for which the particular data file is accessed using the first computing device, or (d) most recently accessed set of the data files.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the priority synchronization identifies the priority files based on (a) an attribute of a particular data file of the data files to be downloaded, (b) a likelihood of the particular data file being accessed by the user using the computing device, or (c) an attribute of the computing device.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the priority synchronization identifies the priority files based on a type of the computing device.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the priority synchronization identifies the priority files based on at least one of a user selection of the set of data files or a user selection of one or more types of the data files to be downloaded.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the priority files is transmitted in an original format of a copy of the priority files stored at the server.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

transmitting, by the server, a plurality of non-priority files to the computing device in a downgraded format, the non-priority files being the data files that are not identified as priority files.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the downgraded format of a particular data file of the non-priority files includes at least one of metadata of the particular data file that downloads the particular data file in the original format upon access by the user, a shortcut link to the particular data file that downloads the particular data file in the original format upon access by the user, or a reduced file size version of a copy of the particular data file stored at the server.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the non-priority files includes an image file, and wherein transmitting the non-priority files to the computing device includes:

transmitting the image file to the computing device in the downgraded format, the downgraded format being at least one of a reduced file size, a reduced image size, a thumbnail, or a lower resolution version of a copy of the image file stored at the server.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9 further comprising:

receiving, by the server, an indication of a user selection of the image file at the computing device; and

transmitting, by the server, the image file to the computing device in an original format of the copy of the image file stored at the server.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the non-priority files includes an audio-video file, and wherein transmitting the non-priority files to the computing device includes:

transmitting, by the server, the audio-video file to the computing device in the downgraded format, the downgraded format being at least one of a reduced file size, a shorter duration, or a lower bit-rate version of a copy of the audio-video file stored at the server.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11 further comprising:

receiving, by the server, a second request from the user to download the audio-video file to the computing device in an original format of the copy of the audio-video file; and

transmitting, by the server and in response to the second request, the audio-video file to the computing device in the original format.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the data files are stored in the distributed backup system across a storage device associated with the server and the set of computing devices associated with the user.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 14, wherein transmitting the priority files to the computing device includes transmitting the priority files from the storage device or the set of computing devices.

15. A computer-implemented method for synchronizing a computing device of a user with a distributed backup system, the method comprising:

receiving, at a server in the distributed backup system, a request to synchronize the computing device with the server to download multiple data files of the user to the computing device;

determining, by the server, whether the request is for a priority synchronization of the computing device, the priority synchronization transmitting a subset of the data files as priority files in a first format and a remaining set of the data files as non-priority files in a second format;

responsive to a determination that the request is for a priority synchronization, identifying the priority files that satisfy a priority-synchronization policy; and

transmitting, by the server, the priority files to the computing device in the first format and the non-priority files in the second format.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein determining whether the request is for a priority synchronization includes:

determining whether the computing device has been synchronized with the server at least once prior to the request, and

responsive to a determination that the computing device has not been synchronized with the server prior to the request, determining that the request is for the priority synchronization.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein the priority-synchronization policy is based on an access pattern of the data files by the user, the access pattern including (a) a frequency of access of a particular data file of the data files, (b) a frequency of access of the particular data file using a first computing device similar to the computing device, (c) a period for which the particular data file is accessed using the first computing device, or (d) most recently accessed set of the data files.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein the access pattern is determined based on an access of the data files by the user on a set of computing devices associated with the user.

19. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein the priority-synchronization policy is based on (a) an attribute of a particular data file of the data files to be downloaded, (b) a likelihood of the particular data file being accessed by the user using the computing device, or (c) an attribute of the computing device.

20. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein the priority-synchronization policy is based on a type of the computing device.

21. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein the priority-synchronization policy is based on at least one of a user selection of the set of data files or a user selection of one or more types of the data files to be downloaded.

22. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein the first format includes an original format of a copy of the priority files stored at the server.

23. The computer-implemented method of claim 21, wherein the second format is a downgraded format of the original format.

24. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein the second format of a particular data file of the non-priority files includes at least one of metadata of the particular data file that is configured to download the particular data file in the original format upon access by the user, a shortcut link to the particular data file that is configured to download the particular data file in the original format upon access by the user, or a reduced file size version of a copy of the particular data file stored at the server.

25. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein the non-priority files includes an image file, and wherein transmitting the non-priority files to the computing device includes:

transmitting the image file to the computing device in the second format, the second format being at least one of a reduced file size, a reduced image size, a thumbnail, or a lower resolution version of a copy of the image file stored at the server.

26. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein the non-priority files includes an audio-video file, and wherein transmitting the non-priority files to the computing device includes:

transmitting, by the server, the audio-video file to the computing device in the second format, the second format being at least one of a reduced file size, a shorter duration, or a lower bit-rate version of a copy of the audio-video file stored at the server.

27. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein the data files are stored in the distributed backup system across a storage device associated with the server and a set of computing devices associated with the user.

28. A server for transferring files to a computing device in a distributed backup system, comprising:

a processor;

a synchronization request module that works in cooperation with the processor to receive a synchronization request for downloading multiple data files of a user to the computing device of the user;

a synchronization type determination module to determine if the synchronization request is for a priority synchronization, the priority synchronization transmitting a subset of the data files as priority files in a first format and a remaining set of the data files as non-priority files in a second format;

a priority-sync data file identification module to identify the priority files based on a priority-synchronization policy; and

a network component to transmit the priority files to the computing device in the first format and the non-priority files in the second format.

29. The server of claim 28 further comprising:

a storage device to store the data files of the user.

30. The server of claim 28, wherein the data files of the user are stored at the server and/or across a set of computing devices of the user.

31. The server of claim 28 further comprising:

a downgraded data file management module to obtain the non-priority files in the second format from the server, the obtaining including;

generating a particular data file of the non-priority files in the second format from the first format of the particular data file, and

storing the particular data file at the server in the second format.

32. The server of claim 28, wherein the priority-synchronization policy is based on an access pattern of the data files by the user, the access pattern including (a) a frequency of access of a particular data file of the data files, (b) a frequency of access of the particular data file using a first computing device similar to the computing device, (c) a period for which the particular data file is accessed using the first computing device, or (d) most recently accessed set of the data files.

33. The server of claim 28, wherein the priority-synchronization policy is based on (a) an attribute of a particular data file of the data files to be downloaded, (b) a likelihood of the particular data file being accessed by the user using the computing device, or (c) an attribute of the computing device.

34. The server of claim 28, wherein the second format of a particular data file of the non-priority files includes at least one of metadata of the particular data file that is configured to download the particular data file in the original format upon access by the user, a shortcut link to the particular data file that is configured to download the particular data file in the original format upon access by the user, a reduced file size version of a copy of the particular data file stored at the server.

35. A computing device for downloading files from a distributed backup system, comprising:

a processor;

a synchronization request module that works in cooperation with the processor to generate a priority synchronization request for downloading multiple data files of a user associated with the computing device from the distributed backup system to the computing device, the priority synchronization request causing the computing device to download a subset of the data files identified as priority files in a first format and a remaining set of the data files as non-priority files in a second format;

a priority-sync data file identification module to identify the priority files in the distributed backup system based on a priority-synchronization policy; and

a network component to download the priority files from the distributed backup system in the first format and the non-priority files in the second format.

36. The computing device of claim 35 further comprising:

a priority-synchronization policy module to manage the priority-synchronization policy.

37. The computing device of claim 35, wherein the data files of the user are stored at a server and/or across a set of computing devices of the user in the distributed backup system.

38. The computing device of claim 37, wherein the priority-synchronization policy is based on an access pattern of the data files by the user on the set of computing devices, the access pattern including (a) a frequency of access of a particular data file of the data files, (b) a frequency of access of the particular data file using a first computing device similar to the computing device, (c) a period for which the particular data file is accessed using the first computing device, or (d) most recently accessed set of the data files.

39. The computing device of claim 35, wherein the priority-synchronization policy is based on (a) an attribute of a particular data file of the data files to be downloaded, (b) a likelihood of the particular data file being accessed by the user using the computing device, or (c) an attribute of the computing device.

40. The computing device of claim 35 further comprising:

a downgraded data file management module to obtain the non-priority files in the second format from the distributed backup system.

41. The computing device of claim 35, wherein the second format includes at least one of metadata of a particular data file of the non-priority files, a shortcut link to the particular data file that downloads the particular data file in the original format upon access by the user, a reduced file size version of a copy of the particular data file stored at the server.