Hosted File Sync Direct Access Conflict Resolution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing file sync solutions often restrict direct access to files in a hosted file system, requiring users and applications to use specific protocols and intermediate layers, which limits accessibility and performance.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows client endpoint devices to have direct access to a hosted file store, enabling synchronization while ensuring files are not locked during the process, and handling conflicts and metadata management to maintain consistency across devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If files are locked during synchronization to ensure consistency, then synchronization reliability is improved, but file accessibility and performance for other users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization process is segmented into multiple phases: preparing the batch of files to be synchronized, executing the synchronization, and handling conflicts. During the preparation phase, files are identified and grouped without locking. The actual synchronization executes in parallel without requiring exclusive locks on individual files, allowing other users to access files simultaneously. Conflict handling occurs after synchronization completes, maintaining reliability without blocking access.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by preparing batches of files to be synchronized before actual synchronization occurs. Files are identified, grouped, and ready for sync in advance, but the actual file access and locking occur in a controlled manner during execution. This allows the system to plan synchronization without blocking ongoing file operations.
2Reliability
If a sync solution specific protocol is required for accessing hosted files, then synchronization control is improved, but ease of access and versatility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hosted file endpoint is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a synchronization hub and a directly accessible file system. The system supports standard file access protocols (SMB, NFS, HTTP) in addition to sync-specific protocols, allowing diverse clients to access files directly without requiring a proprietary sync protocol. This multi-functionality maintains synchronization control while greatly improving accessibility and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The hosted file endpoint serves as an intermediary that bridges different access methods. It provides a unified interface that can handle both sync protocol communications and direct file system access. The endpoint mediates between the synchronization needs of clients and the direct access needs of applications, allowing both modes to coexist without requiring separate systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a system and method that can be used to synchronize files from a hosted file system where the client endpoint devices have direct access to the files stored on a hosted file store/system. When the client synchronizes with the files stored on the hosted file store the synchronization process identifies the files that need to be synchronized with the client and prepares batches of files to be synced. During the process of synchronization the files are not locked from other user's being able to use the files. If the file is modified by another endpoint during the file synchronization process the file will not be synchronized with the client device during the particular synchronization process. In this way synchronization becomes possible with the hosted service without impacting the performance of other devices that use and access the data in the hosted file store.