Geocode-Based Storage Node Selection for Data Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data storage and access systems in network environments face challenges in efficiently managing and securing data across distributed nodes, particularly in ensuring file duplication avoidance and optimizing storage node selection based on geographic location and user proximity.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing three control layers - virtual, logical, and physical - to manage and access files over the internet, employing geocode-based node selection and de-duplication techniques to optimize storage and access efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If files are stored across multiple distributed storage nodes, then data availability and access speed are improved, but the complexity of managing file locations and avoiding duplicates increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a file system database server as an intermediary between clients and storage nodes. This server maintains a centralized namespace that tracks file locations across distributed storage nodes, eliminating the need for clients to directly manage complex distributed storage coordinates. The intermediary handles file location resolution and duplicate detection, simplifying the system while maintaining fast access speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the file system database server continuously monitors and updates file location information across storage nodes. When files are added, moved, or duplicated, the system provides feedback to update the namespace, ensuring that file location data remains current. This feedback loop enables efficient file access while preventing duplicates without requiring complex client-side management.
2Loss of time
If geocode-based node selection is implemented, then network latency is reduced and access efficiency is improved, but the complexity of location tracking and node selection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing geocode information for each storage node in advance. When a client needs to access a file, the system retrieves pre-stored geocode data and performs simple distance calculations, rather than conducting complex real-time location analysis. This approach minimizes network latency while keeping the node selection mechanism relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters by using geocode values (latitude/longitude coordinates) to represent storage node locations instead of complex network addresses or hierarchical paths. This parameter transformation enables straightforward distance-based node selection, reducing network latency through geometric proximity calculations while maintaining manageable system complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If de-duplication techniques are used, then storage space is optimized and redundant data is eliminated, but the computational overhead for detecting duplicates increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating and storing hash values (digital fingerprints) of files in the file system database server. Instead of comparing entire files to detect duplicates, the system copies and compares these compact hash representations. This approach optimizes storage space by identifying and eliminating duplicate files while keeping computational overhead low, as hashing is much faster than full file comparison.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the file data into a different parameter representation by converting files into hash values. This parameter change enables efficient duplicate detection through simple hash comparison rather than complex file-by-file analysis. The transformation reduces computational overhead significantly while effectively optimizing storage space by identifying redundant data.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for locating an optimum storage node for serving a data file request received via a communications network, includes: receiving a file request from a user device coupled to the communications network; determining a geocode value based on a communications network address associated with the user device, wherein the geocode value is indicative of a geographic location of the user device; selecting a storage node from a plurality of storage nodes coupled to the communications network to serve the file request, wherein the storage node is selected based at least in part on the geocode value; and redirecting the file request to the selected storage node for handling.