File Server Control File Write Detector for Network Overhead Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional file server systems incur significant overhead due to the need for separate control and data connections, message passing protocols, and manual file management, which increases memory management requirements and reduces efficiency in accessing shared files across a network.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a control file write detector within the file server monitors updates to a control file, allowing host systems to request and perform operations on data files directly, with status files indicating operation results, thereby eliminating the need for separate message passing interfaces and reducing network overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional message passing protocols are used for file access requests, then file access control and security are improved, but network overhead and memory management requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines control messages and file data into a single network transmission stream. Instead of using separate control connections and data connections as in conventional protocols, the system merges them so that file data can be transmitted within the same network packets used for control messaging, thereby reducing protocol overhead and memory management requirements while maintaining security and access control capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential control functionality from the heavy message passing protocol framework. By identifying and retaining only the critical access control and security mechanisms while removing unnecessary protocol layers and handshaking procedures, the system achieves simplified file access with reduced network overhead and memory requirements
2Reliability
If separate control and data connections are used for file server access, then security and access control are improved, but device complexity and memory management requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate control and data connections into a unified connection model. Control commands and file data transmissions share the same network connection and protocol stream, eliminating the complexity of managing multiple simultaneous connections while preserving security through embedded authentication and authorization mechanisms within the unified protocol
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal protocol that handles both control operations and data transfers through a single interface. The same connection and message structure serve multiple functions including authentication, file access requests, data transmission, and error handling, thereby reducing device complexity and memory management overhead
3Reliability
If manual file management procedures are implemented, then security and access control are improved, but productivity and efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary authentication and authorization actions during connection establishment. Security credentials are verified and access rights are determined before actual file operations begin, allowing subsequent file access operations to proceed efficiently without repeated security checks, thereby maintaining security while improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the file server system to automatically manage access control decisions based on pre-configured security policies. Once authentication is complete, the system autonomously handles file access requests, permission verification, and data transmission without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining security controls while significantly improving file access efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for providing a plurality of host systems shared access to data files from a file server. The method includes monitoring a control file for updates, the control file located within a corresponding host directory located within the file server; receiving a request for access to a data file stored on the file server, the access request being written to the control file, the access request including a requested data file operation; performing the requested data file operation in response to the control file being updated with the access request; creating a status file in the host directory in which the requested data file operation was performed upon completion of the requested data file operation; writing status data in the status file, the status data including a result of the performance of the requested data file operation; and allowing access to the host directory in which the requested data file operation was performed in response to the status data being written to the status file.