FILE SWITCH AND SWITCHED FILE SYSTEM
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for aggregating network file protocol transactions in a network system, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a first frame of a first message belonging to a first transaction, the first frame containing a first file protocol header and a first data, the first transaction initiated by a first client computer;
based on information in the first file protocol header, selecting a first set of file servers to participate in handling the first transaction;
sending a second frame to a first server from the first set of file servers, the second frame containing a second file protocol header and a portion of the first data, the second file protocol header being derived from the first file protocol header.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method are provided in a computer network to decouple the client from the server, by placing a transparent network node, also termed a file switch or file switch computer, between the client and the server. Usage of such a file switch allows reduced latency in file transfers, as well as scalable mirroring, striping, spillover, and other features.
193 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method for aggregating network file protocol transactions in a network system, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a first frame of a first message belonging to a first transaction, the first frame containing a first file protocol header and a first data, the first transaction initiated by a first client computer; based on information in the first file protocol header, selecting a first set of file servers to participate in handling the first transaction; sending a second frame to a first server from the first set of file servers, the second frame containing a second file protocol header and a portion of the first data, the second file protocol header being derived from the first file protocol header. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for aggregating network file protocol transactions in a network system, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a first frame of a first message belonging to a first transaction, the first frame containing a first file protocol header and a first data, the first transaction initiated by a first client computer; based on information in the first file protocol header, selecting a first set of file servers to participate in handling the first transaction; sending a second frame to a first server from the first set of file servers, the second frame containing a second file protocol header and a portion of the first data, the second file protocol header being derived from the first file protocol header; receiving a third frame of the first message, the third frame containing a second data; sending a fourth frame to a second server from the first set of file servers, the fourth frame containing a third file protocol header and a portion of the second data. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A method for aggregating network file protocol transactions in a network system, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a first frame belonging to a first transaction, the first frame containing a first file protocol header, the first transaction initiated by a first client computer; based on information in the first file protocol header, selecting a first set of file servers to participate in handling the first transaction; sending a second frame to a first server from the first set of file servers, the second frame containing a modified first file protocol header; sending a third frame to a second server from the first set of file servers, the second frame containing a modified first file protocol header.
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9-33. -33. (canceled)
Specification