Cross-File Differential Synchronization Using Client-Side Indexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In enterprise environments, remote file synchronization over wide area networks often faces bandwidth issues due to the transfer of entire files, leading to latency and inefficiencies, especially when dealing with incremental changes, which affects user experience and costs for mobile users with limited resources.
Innovation Solution
The Cross-File Differential Content Synchronization System (CDCSS) transfers only the differences in file content by using a patch mechanism that instructs recipients to build modified data based on existing content, reducing data duplication and computational overhead, and employing client-side indexing to manage patches efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If entire files are transferred for synchronization, then data completeness is ensured, but bandwidth consumption increases and transfer speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments files into fixed-size chunks and transfers only the differential portions (patches) rather than entire files. This segmentation allows selective transmission of modified chunks, reducing bandwidth consumption while maintaining data completeness through systematic patch application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the differential content (patches) representing changes between file versions. By taking out and transmitting only the essential modification data rather than complete files, the system achieves efficient bandwidth utilization while preserving data integrity through the patch application process.
2Measurement precision
If entire files are transferred for synchronization, then data accuracy is maintained, but data transfer volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and transmits only the differential patches containing precise change information. This extraction approach maintains data accuracy by capturing exact modifications while dramatically reducing the quantity of data transferred compared to transmitting complete files.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting files into chunks and identifying only modified portions, the patent reduces data transfer volume to contain only necessary changes. The segmentation enables precise targeting of modified areas, maintaining accuracy while minimizing transfer quantity.
3Productivity
If patches are cached on the server, then subsequent transfers are optimized, but server storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary caching of patches on the server to enable optimized subsequent transfers. By performing the preliminary action of storing patch data beforehand, the system achieves efficient synchronization in subsequent operations, accepting increased server storage as a trade-off for improved productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems and techniques for synchronizing content, such as a file, between one or more clients and one or more servers are provided. Example embodiments provide a Cross-File Differential Content Synchronization System (CDCSS) to synchronize files between remote systems in a nearly instantaneous manner without necessitating the transfer of the entire contents of a file. These components cooperate to transfer only the differences in data content wherever possible to a recipient system by providing a patch mechanism that instructs the recipient to build the modified or new data content based upon content it already has access to. In addition, in one embodiment the CDCSS synchronization solution provides a client-based index, rather than a server-based index, for tracking patches and files, which reduces the amount of computational and I/O overhead on the server and which does not require a negotiation between a client and a server to provide an update.