File Name Based Command Execution for Storage System Maintenance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Maintaining file systems in computing devices often requires taking them offline, which is costly and disruptive, and updating user interfaces for maintenance activities is time-consuming and complex.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a file name based command execution system that allows for periodic examination of a predetermined directory for files containing preconfigured commands, executing these commands without interrupting normal operations, and indicating their execution status through additional files, enabling maintenance while keeping the system online.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional file system maintenance methods are used, then maintenance operations can be performed, but the computing device must be taken offline causing business disruption and downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs file system maintenance operations in advance by examining file names in a predetermined directory for embedded commands before normal operations require the system to be offline. Commands are executed proactively while the system remains online, preventing future downtime by addressing maintenance needs before they become critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - a predetermined directory with files containing embedded commands - that enables maintenance operations to be initiated and executed without directly interrupting normal system operations. This intermediary layer allows the system to process maintenance commands while continuing to serve users, effectively decoupling maintenance needs from operational downtime.
2Reliability
If traditional file system maintenance methods are used, then maintenance operations can be performed, but user interfaces must be updated which is time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables administrators to perform maintenance operations directly by creating files with embedded commands in the predetermined directory, eliminating the need for complex user interface updates. The maintenance interface is self-contained in the file name syntax itself, allowing administrators to invoke maintenance functions without requiring changes to graphical interfaces or complex UI programming.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the maintenance interface functionality from the traditional user interface and embeds it directly in file names within the predetermined directory. This separation removes the complexity of maintaining graphical user interfaces for maintenance operations, as all maintenance commands are now accessed through a simple, consistent file-based interface that does not require UI updates.
3Loss of time
If file name based command execution is implemented, then online maintenance operations are enabled, but the system requires periodic examination of directories and command parsing
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic examination of the predetermined directory for files containing maintenance commands. This periodic scanning mechanism allows the system to check for and execute maintenance operations at regular intervals while the system remains online, balancing the need for proactive maintenance with acceptable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by restricting the command parsing and execution mechanism to a specific predetermined directory, rather than implementing it system-wide. This localized approach limits the complexity impact to only the files in that specific directory, allowing the rest of the system to operate normally without being burdened by the additional parsing overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method implementing file name based command execution is disclosed. The method includes periodically examining a predetermined file directory in a storage system to determine if the predetermined file directory contains any file. The method includes, upon finding a first file, determining that a file name of the first file includes one or more commands of a plurality of preconfigured commands executable in the storage system. The method includes executing the one or more commands included in the file name of the first file to perform one or more actions associated with the one or more commands. The method further includes creating a second file in the predetermined file directory, indicating that the included one or more commands are being executed. The method further includes that, upon that the one or more included commands finish execution, removing the first and second file from the predetermined file directory.