Distributed File State Authority for Version Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centralized file storage systems experience congestion, reduced accessibility, and reliability issues due to lack of version control and excessive disk usage, particularly in large interdisciplinary engineering projects where multiple participants need access to various file versions across different hierarchies.
Innovation Solution
A distributed storage system where peer workstation clients manage file metadata and blocks efficiently, allowing access to multiple file versions, with a coherent file state authority optimizing metadata transmission to minimize latency and congestion, and only transmitting file blocks upon request, thereby reducing network traffic and improving data accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If files are stored in a centralized server, then all files are accessible to all users, but network congestion increases and accessibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized file storage system into distributed peer workstation clients, where each client maintains local file blocks and metadata. This segmentation distributes the storage load across multiple nodes, eliminating the single-point congestion of centralized servers while maintaining file accessibility through the coherent file state authority that coordinates metadata updates across the distributed system.
2Reliability
If all file versions are stored centrally, then version control is comprehensive, but disk usage increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges duplicate file blocks across multiple peer workstation clients into a single stored copy that is referenced by metadata from different peers. Instead of each peer storing complete copies of all files, the system combines storage resources so that file blocks are stored once or in fewer locations, while metadata at each peer enables access to versions distributed across the network, reducing total disk usage while maintaining comprehensive version control.
3Reliability
If metadata is transmitted frequently to maintain file state coherence, then file state accuracy is improved, but transmission latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the metadata transmission function from frequent continuous updates to event-driven transmissions only when file state changes occur. The coherent file state authority receives metadata updates from peers only when modifications are made, and transmits coherence information only when necessary, rather than maintaining constant communication channels. This extraction of the essential update function reduces transmission latency while maintaining file state coherence.
Data Source
AI summary
A coherent file system and method of operation for a file state authority coupled to file state sub-set satellites addresses congestion and latency effects on a plurality of peer workstation clients organized in neighborhoods. Very large files are versioned and metadata recorded in a file state view determines which file blocks make up each version of a committed file. Metadata may be requested from neighboring workstations to locate desired file blocks. File block transmission is minimized to fulfill read requests only when not accessible at a workstation's local file block store.