Dual Time-Locks for Indefinite Storage Lock Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In network environments, shared storage devices can become locked indefinitely if a server with exclusive access shuts down, preventing other servers from accessing the device, and time synchronization issues complicate ensuring exclusive access to only one server at a time.
Innovation Solution
Implementing two time-locks in a storage device, where both must be successfully stored to grant an exclusive access privilege for a specific time interval, mitigating the risk of indefinite locking and time synchronization challenges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single time-lock is used to grant exclusive access to a storage device, then access control is simplified, but the storage device may be locked indefinitely if the server shuts down unexpectedly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single lock mechanism into two separate time-locks (first time-lock and second time-lock) that must both be successfully stored to grant exclusive access. This segmentation ensures that if one time-lock expires due to server shutdown, the other time-lock will also expire, preventing indefinite locking while maintaining access control.
2Reliability
If time-based access control is implemented to prevent indefinite locking, then lock duration is limited, but time synchronization issues arise across multiple servers
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses each server's own internal clock to generate and validate time-locks without requiring synchronization with other servers. The time-locks are self-contained with embedded expiration times based on the creating server's clock, eliminating the need for complex time synchronization infrastructure across the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements time-locks with predetermined expiration times that automatically release the lock regardless of server status. This beforehand cushioning ensures that even if a server shuts down unexpectedly while holding a lock, the lock will be released after the predetermined time interval, preventing indefinite locking scenarios.
3Ease of operation
If a lock directory is used to create exclusive access, then access control is established, but locks may be left behind when the owner terminates unexpectedly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static lock files that persist until manually deleted to dynamic time-locks that automatically expire and release after a predetermined time interval. This dynamic approach ensures that locks are temporarily valid only for the duration needed, and any leftover locks from crashed servers will automatically expire without requiring manual cleanup or causing conflicts.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer accesses a storage device. The computer includes a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, the computer-readable instructions cause the computer to perform: storing a first time-lock and a second time-lock in the storage device; and, when both the first time-lock and the second time-lock are successfully stored in the storage device by the computer, to obtain an exclusive access privilege during a particular time interval associated with the first time-lock and the second time-lock.