System and method for dynamically varying low level file system operation timeout parameters in network systems of variable bandwidth
First Claim
1. A computer implemented process for detecting network failure while avoiding false detection in a network system connecting a source device to one or more target devices, said network system operable over any one of a plurality of communication links each having variable communication bandwidth and being subject to intermittent non-failure disconnection, the process comprising the steps of:
- receiving a minimum and a maximum time-out value for each user of one of said one or more target device;
setting said network service request time-out period equal to said maximum time-out value for said one of said one or more target devices;
repeating the following steps for each of a plurality of network service requests to said one of said one or more target devices;
issuing a network service request over said communications link;
signalling network failure if said network service request is not satisfied by said target device within said time-out period;
measuring network service request time if said network service request is satisfied; and
modifying said time-out period for said user in response to said network service request time of each satisfied service request by performing the following steps;
setting said time-out period to the minimum time-out value if said network service request time is less than or equal to said minimum time-out value;
setting said time-out period to the lesser of said network service request time plus a service request buffer interval or said maximum time-out value, if said network service request time is greater than said minimum time-out value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved file system apparatus and method for minimizing the length of time a client system waits before declaring a data communication link disconnected. The apparatus and method dynamically modify a file system request time-out value based on the actual length of time required to service each file system request. In one embodiment, a time-out value is determined for each request type based on the actual response time and a buffer time for each request type. The response timer is based on readings from a system clock therefore operating as a low overhead process. A monitoring system periodically tests the server to ensure that a physical connection still exists.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A computer implemented process for detecting network failure while avoiding false detection in a network system connecting a source device to one or more target devices, said network system operable over any one of a plurality of communication links each having variable communication bandwidth and being subject to intermittent non-failure disconnection, the process comprising the steps of:
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receiving a minimum and a maximum time-out value for each user of one of said one or more target device; setting said network service request time-out period equal to said maximum time-out value for said one of said one or more target devices; repeating the following steps for each of a plurality of network service requests to said one of said one or more target devices; issuing a network service request over said communications link; signalling network failure if said network service request is not satisfied by said target device within said time-out period; measuring network service request time if said network service request is satisfied; and modifying said time-out period for said user in response to said network service request time of each satisfied service request by performing the following steps; setting said time-out period to the minimum time-out value if said network service request time is less than or equal to said minimum time-out value; setting said time-out period to the lesser of said network service request time plus a service request buffer interval or said maximum time-out value, if said network service request time is greater than said minimum time-out value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A computer program product for use with distributed computer system connected to a network system, said computer program product comprising:
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a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for causing detection of network failure with minimal delay while avoiding false failure detection in a network system connecting a source device to one or more target devices, said network system operable over any one of a plurality of communication links each having variable communication bandwidth and being subject to intermittent non-failure disconnection, said computer usable mediums further having; computer program product means for causing a computer system to receive a minimum and a maximum time-out value for each of said one or more target devices for a user; computer program product means for causing a computer system to set said network service request time-out period equal to said maximum time-out value of said one of said one or more target devices; computer program product means for causing a computer system to repeat the following steps for each of a plurality of network service requests to said one of said one or more target devices; computer program product means for causing a computer system to issue a network service request over said communications link; computer program product means for causing a computer system to signal network failure if said network service request is not satisfied within said time-out period; computer program product means for causing a computer system to measure network service request time if said network service request is satisfied; and computer program product means for causing a computer system to modify said time-out period for said user in response to said network service request time for each satisfied request, said means including computer program product means for causing a computer system to set said time-out period to the minimum time-out value if said network service request time is less than or equal to said minimum time-out value; computer program product means for causing a computer system to set said time-out period to the lesser of said network service request time plus a service request buffer interval or said maximum time-out value, if said network service request time is greater than said minimum time-out value. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification