MCastFTP Protocol for Large File Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current file transfer methods in distributed IP networks are inefficient, with transfer times proportional to the number of clients, leading to unnecessary transfers and security issues, especially in critical contexts where downtime is costly or safety-related.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a multiple-broadcast medium for large data transmission and a reliable point-to-point link for control information, employing the MCastFTP protocol to ensure data receipt and reduce network usage time, with mechanisms for retransmission and quality control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If current FTP solutions or ssh/scp are used for file transfer, then the transfer can be performed with standard protocols, but the transfer time becomes proportional to the number of clients which is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the file transfer process into two independent segments: control information is transmitted via reliable point-to-point connections, while actual file data is broadcast once to all clients simultaneously. This segmentation allows the system to achieve O(1) transfer time complexity regardless of the number of clients, as the broadcast operation completes in constant time rather than requiring sequential transfers to each client.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple transmission channels into a unified system: point-to-point links are used for control signaling while a broadcast medium handles data distribution. This merging of different communication paradigms (reliable individual connections and efficient broadcast) allows the system to simultaneously ensure reliability through control channels and achieve high throughput through the broadcast channel, resolving the contradiction between transfer speed and total time.
2Productivity
If connectionless protocols with broadcast addresses are used, then transfer speed increases, but reliability is compromised as there are no retransmission mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary control channel that mediates between the broadcast data transmission and the clients. This point-to-point control link acts as a mediator that sends acknowledgments from clients back to the server and coordinates retransmissions if needed. The intermediary control channel enables the unreliable broadcast medium to achieve reliable delivery by providing a feedback mechanism without sacrificing the speed benefits of broadcast transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where clients send acknowledgments via the point-to-point control channel to confirm receipt of broadcast data. The server uses this feedback to determine whether retransmission is necessary. This feedback loop enables the system to maintain high reliability while using the fast broadcast channel for primary data transmission, as retransmissions only occur when actually needed based on client confirmation.
3Reliability
If files are transferred to each client individually, then reliability can be maintained, but network usage time increases and security issues arise from multiple transits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transfer operations into control plane and data plane: the control plane uses point-to-point connections for reliability management, while the data plane uses broadcast for efficient simultaneous distribution. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability through controlled feedback mechanisms while achieving O(1) network usage time for data transmission, as the broadcast occurs once rather than N times for N clients.
4Ease of operation
If traditional protocols are used without file comparison, then transfers can be performed simply, but unnecessary transfers occur when files already exist on targets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary file comparison using checksums or other identification data before initiating the actual file transfer. The control channel exchanges file identification information between server and clients, allowing clients to determine in advance whether they already possess the correct version of the file. This preliminary action prevents unnecessary broadcast transmissions and associated energy consumption while maintaining the simplicity of the overall protocol through automated comparison logic.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention exploits the multiple-broadcast capabilities of networks associated with a reliable connection-oriented protocol. The inventive method allows a file to be transferred only once. The data, which represent a large volume of information, use multiple-broadcast channels, whereas the interchanges relating to the control of the quality of the communication use a reliable medium in connected mode. In order to eliminate the unnecessary transfers (network) and activity (server and client), a calculation worked out from all of the file data is performed to identify it definitely.