Multi-Premises Content Synchronization via Block Server Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current online content management services lack user control over content item hosting locations and face inefficiencies in synchronization speed, particularly for globally distributed and sensitive content.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that allows users to host content items on-premises, off-premises, or both, using a content item synchronization protocol that manages uploads and downloads by determining target block servers based on namespace assignments and optimizing network performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If content items are hosted on online content management service servers, then accessibility and synchronization across multiple devices is improved, but user control over content hosting location deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically allows users to choose between different hosting locations (on-premises block servers or off-premises cloud servers) based on their specific needs and configurations, making the hosting arrangement flexible rather than fixed
Solution Approach 2:
The content management service provides universal access to content items regardless of where they are hosted (on-premises or off-premises), enabling users to access their files from any device while maintaining control over the hosting location
2Adaptability or versatility
If content items are uploaded and downloaded over the Internet, then remote access capability is improved, but synchronization speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the content item into blocks that can be transmitted in parallel, and allows selective synchronization of only modified blocks rather than the entire file, improving speed while maintaining remote access
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization service acts as an intermediary that optimizes the transfer process by determining the most efficient path for data transmission based on network conditions and user configuration, whether through direct Internet connection or alternative routes
3Device complexity
If all content items are hosted on a single location, then system simplicity is improved, but adaptability for different hosting needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic hosting location selection where content items can be dynamically routed to different block servers (on-premises or off-premises) based on user needs, network conditions, and organizational policies
Solution Approach 2:
Different content items or different users can have different hosting arrangements (on-premises vs off-premises) based on their specific requirements, allowing customized hosting quality for each case while maintaining overall system simplicity
Data Source
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AI summary
A synchronization protocol for multi-premises hosting of digital content items. In one embodiments, for example, a method, comprising: detecting creation or modification of a content item; determining a content item namespace to which the content item belongs; obtaining an identifier of a block server to which the content item namespace is assigned; and uploading any content item blocks of the content item to the block server that are not already stored at the block server.