Cloud Storage Aggregation via Virtual File System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face complexity in managing multiple cloud storage accounts due to limited storage sizes and varying policies across providers, requiring manual synchronization and file management across different services.
Innovation Solution
A storage manager aggregates multiple cloud storage accounts into a single virtual space, load balances files, and employs file fragmentation for increased reliability and security, while leveraging provider-specific features for enhanced processing and storage policies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If users create multiple cloud storage accounts to increase storage capacity, then total storage space increases, but system complexity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cloud storage accounts into a unified virtual file system that presents a single namespace to users. The aggregation service merges files from multiple providers (Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.) into one accessible interface, eliminating the need for users to manually manage multiple accounts while preserving total storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual file system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a unified storage interface, an intelligent router for file operations, and a coordination layer between different cloud providers. This multi-functional approach resolves management complexity while maintaining access to aggregated storage from various providers.
2Reliability
If users manually synchronize files across multiple cloud providers, then file availability is maintained, but time consumption and operational effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing synchronization pathways between the virtual file system and multiple cloud providers. When files are added or modified in the virtual namespace, the aggregation service proactively routes and synchronizes them to appropriate providers before users need to access them, eliminating manual synchronization delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the aggregation service continuously monitors file states across multiple providers and automatically adjusts synchronization operations. This real-time feedback ensures file availability is maintained while minimizing user intervention and time consumption.
3Ease of operation
If files are stored in a single cloud provider account, then management is simple, but storage capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The aggregation service acts as an intermediary layer between users and multiple cloud providers. It maintains management simplicity by presenting a unified interface while secretly coordinating with multiple providers in the background to aggregate their storage capacities, thus expanding available space without complicating user operations.
4Manufacturing precision
If cloud storage providers offer specialized processing features, then file processing quality improves, but file routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by routing files to specific cloud providers based on their specialized capabilities. For example, images are routed to providers with image processing features, videos to providers with transcription capabilities, and general documents to providers with optimal storage performance. This targeted routing enables high processing quality while the aggregation service manages the routing complexity transparently.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes systems and methods for aggregation and management of cloud storage to leverage processing provided by a cloud provider with aggregation of cloud storage services. Files may be pipelined to the processing provider and then resynchronized to an alternate storage service, with processing or metadata retained. In one implementation, files may be provided for processing, retrieved, and then separately provided for storage. In another implementation, files may be simultaneously provided for processing and storage at different cloud storage providers. After processing, the metadata of the file may be retrieved, and the file deleted from storage of the processing provider. The metadata may be synchronized with the stored file, or may be retained in metadata storage and retrieved by the client device during synchronization or file retrieval operations.