Self-optimizing network attached storage method and system for multiple geographic locations

Abstract

A plurality of geographically diffuse network attached file servers are configured store a file migration control table, each table to including an entry designating a root device and at least one time-decaying access control parameter for a file stored locally to each server. Upon receipt by a first server of a request from a second, geographically remote server for access to an authoritative copy of a file stored by the first server, the said first server updates a time-decaying access control parameter to reflect remote server's request, and computes an access ratio comparing requests fromremote users to recent requests from local. If the ratio exceeds a threshold indicating more often or more common usage of the files by remote users than local users, the authoritative file copy is migrated automatically from the first server to the second, remote server.

Description

Self-optimizing network attached storage method and system for multiple geographic locations technical field The present invention relates to the management of file locations in a distributed data storage system having multiple geographically dispersed file servers. Background technique When a company has offices in multiple locations, it is preferable to store information where it is most frequently accessed. For example, it makes sense to store electronic documentation files for French translations of user manuals in France, and for Japanese translations in Japan. This type of file organization takes into account that the file may be occasionally accessed by persons in other geographic locations, but will be accessed most often by those at the location where the file is stored. Thus, by placing the file in a file server geographically close to a majority of the desired users, the latency for the majority of users to access the file is minimized, which places the greates...

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