Software Interface Module for Network-Attached Storage Command Translation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Network-attached storage systems require specific hardware and IT resources, making them costly and sometimes cost-prohibitive for implementation, especially for providing remote storage solutions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that convert commands interpretable by a local file system into a format compatible with a remote storage platform, allowing file operations to be performed without the need for application-specific hardware, using a software-driven approach to present remote storage as a local file system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network-attached storage systems use specific hardware solutions, then data storage and access functionality is achieved, but implementation cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hardware-based network-attached storage systems with a software-driven solution. The interface module uses software processes to translate file system commands between local and remote systems, eliminating the need for specialized hardware while maintaining storage functionality. This substitution of mechanical/hardware systems with software-based approaches directly reduces implementation costs while preserving data storage and access capabilities.
2Reliability
If network-attached storage requires dedicated hardware, then storage service reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface module is designed to work with multiple different remote storage platforms and local file systems through software configuration rather than hardware specialization. The command translation capability allows a single interface module to adapt to various storage protocols and formats, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable storage services through software-based adaptability.
3Ease of manufacture
If remote storage is implemented without local hardware, then cost is reduced, but command compatibility between local and remote systems becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The interface module acts as an intermediary between local file systems and remote storage platforms. It receives commands in the local file system's format, translates them into the remote platform's command format, executes the commands remotely, and translates the results back. This intermediary translation layer resolves command compatibility issues while maintaining cost-effectiveness by avoiding specialized hardware.
4Ease of manufacture
If software-driven command translation is used, then hardware cost is reduced, but processing time for command conversion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface module pre-loads and caches translation mappings between different file system command formats. By preparing translation rules and protocols in advance, the system minimizes real-time processing delays during command translation. This preliminary preparation reduces the time penalty associated with software-based translation while maintaining the cost benefits of avoiding specialized hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for providing a network attached storage system which does not require specialized hardware to operate. In one embodiment, a downloadable software package is provided via a web interface. After a user has downloaded and installed the software package, a sharable volume is created upon a host system. In one embodiment, the sharable volume is adapted to present the contents of one or more remote systems to the host system as a local file, drive, or directory. One or more processes resident in the host system are adapted to intercept a command interpretable by the host system and translate the command into one or more commands interpretable by at least one remote system. The one or more commands are then serviced by at least one remote system and a result set is generated. The result set may then be converted into a format interpretable by the host system and output accordingly.