Persistent caching directory level support

Abstract

The present invention provides a novel client side caching (CSC) infrastructure that supports transition states at the directory level to facilitate a seamless operation across connectivity states between client and remote server. More specifically, persistent caching is performed to safeguard the user (e.g., client) and / or the client applications across connectivity interruptions and / or bandwidth changes. This is accomplished in part by caching to a client data store the desirable file(s) together with the appropriate file access parameters. Moreover, the client maintains access to cached files during periods of disconnect. Furthermore, portions of a path can be offline while other portions upstream can remain online. CSC operates on the logical path which cooperates with DFS which operates on the physical path to keep track of files cached, accessed and changes in the directories. In addition, truth on the client is facilitated whether or not a conflict of file copies exists.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates generally to client side caching, and more particularly to systems and methods that facilitates persistent caching to shield a user and client applications across connectivity interruptions and / or bandwidth changes such that truth on the client is supported. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Computing and networking technologies have transformed many important aspects of everyday life. Computers have become a household staple instead of a luxury, educational tool and / or entertainment center, and provide users with a tool to manage and forecast finances, control household operations like heating, cooling, lighting and security, and store records and images in a permanent and reliable medium. Networking technologies like the Internet provide users with virtually unlimited access to remote systems, information and associated applications. [0003] Traditional business practices are evolving with computing and networking technologies. ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The present invention provides a novel client side caching (CSC) infrastructure which facilitates a seamless operation across connectivity states (e.g., online-offline) between client and remote server. More specifically, a persistent caching architecture is employed to safeguard the user (e.g., client) and / or the client applications across connectivity interruptions and / or bandwidth changes. This is accomplished in part by caching the desirable file(s) together with the appropriate protocol information (e.g., SMB and Webdav (Web-based Distributed, Authoring, and Versioning) to a local (e.g., client) data store. Such information includes object access rights and share access rights which correspond to the file or group of files being cached.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, the user experience, whether offline or online, is substantially uniform across server types. In conventional networking infrastructure, the user may not know which type of network is serving up the files that he / she is accessing and specifically, the reasons why one server allows a particular feature while another server does not. In the present invention, achieving uniformity across server types is based at least in part upon the location of the CSC component. For example, client side caching can be located above all redirectors, independent of the type of network redirection being performed. As a result, the offline experience remains consistent and without change when switching between server types. By way of example, I / O requests can be sent to the CSC component before the DFS component to ensure that all relevant information (e.g., identifications of DFS links, corresponding physical shares, share access rights, etc.) is cached before the connection state changes from online to offline. The DFS component can only obtain referrals while online and the connection may be lost at any time.

Problems solved by technology

The client application then consumes, displays, transforms, stores, or acts on those results, and may modify or otherwise manipulate the data retrieved.

Unfortunately, data is typically inaccessible by the client application from the remote server when the remote server is offline or otherwise disconnected.

Unfortunately, if some of the data has been modified by the client, the modified client version is usually not visible to the client and / or user when the server returns online.

Inevitably, this results in incoherent data by client applications as well as increased server and / or network traffic in addition to the myriad of other inconveniences and problems for most users.

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