Partial-Edit Files for NAS File Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network-attached storage systems face challenges in maintaining file consistency during concurrent modifications by multiple clients, as existing solutions like distributed lock management can be processor-intensive and lead to data corruption or deadlock, and require downloading and re-uploading entire files, which is inefficient and prone to inconsistency issues.
Innovation Solution
The use of partial-edit files allows clients to modify files by creating a copy outside the file system, making changes to this copy, and committing those changes back to the original file, ensuring consistency without the need for distributed locks, enabling partial file modifications and reducing bandwidth usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If distributed lock management is used to maintain file consistency during concurrent modifications, then file consistency is improved, but processor intensity increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the file consistency management mechanism from traditional distributed lock management. Instead of using complex lock protocols, the system uses version numbers and timestamp metadata embedded in file records to automatically detect and resolve conflicts. This extraction simplifies the system architecture while maintaining consistency guarantees through automated version comparison and conflict detection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The file system performs self-service consistency management through automated version number comparison and conflict detection. When concurrent modifications occur, the system automatically detects conflicts by comparing version numbers and timestamps without requiring external lock management. The conflicting changes are queued and resolved automatically, reducing processor intensity and system complexity.
2Reliability
If distributed lock management is used to maintain file consistency, then file consistency is improved, but processor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the computationally intensive distributed lock management layer and replaces it with lightweight version number comparison and timestamp-based conflict detection. This extraction significantly reduces processor intensity while maintaining file consistency through automated version control mechanisms that operate with minimal computational overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the approach from active lock management to passive version-based conflict detection. By using version numbers and timestamps as key parameters in file records, the system transforms consistency management from a processor-intensive locking operation to a lightweight parameter comparison operation, reducing energy consumption and processor intensity.
3Reliability
If entire files are downloaded and re-uploaded for modifications, then file consistency is improved, but bandwidth usage increases and time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the file modification process into selective operations. Instead of downloading and re-uploading entire files, the system identifies and transfers only the specific data blocks that have changed. This segmentation is achieved through block-level file operations where modified blocks are individually uploaded with their version information, significantly reducing bandwidth usage and time consumption while maintaining consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial file operations by downloading and uploading only the necessary portions of files rather than entire files. When conflicts are detected, only the conflicting blocks are re-uploaded with updated version information. This partial action approach maintains file consistency while dramatically reducing the time and bandwidth required for file modifications.
4Reliability
If entire files are downloaded and re-uploaded for modifications, then file consistency is improved, but bandwidth usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments file transfer operations into block-level transactions. Instead of transferring entire files, the system identifies and transfers only the specific data blocks that have been modified. This segmentation reduces bandwidth usage and energy consumption while maintaining file consistency through version-controlled block operations and selective re-upload of only necessary blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial file transfers by downloading and uploading only the necessary portions of files rather than complete files. When conflicts are detected during concurrent modifications, only the conflicting blocks are re-uploaded with updated version information. This partial action approach maintains file consistency while dramatically reducing bandwidth usage and associated energy loss.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for managing partial-edit files for shared storage applications. A network-attached storage device (NAS) includes a non-volatile memory module, a network interface, and control circuitry configured to connect to a first client over a network connection using the network interface, receive, from the first client, a request to access a first portion of an existing file stored in the non-volatile memory module, create a first partial-edit file based on the existing file, receive modifications associated with the first portion of the existing file from the first client, modify the first partial-edit file according to the received modifications, and at least partially overwrite the existing file with at least a portion of the first partial-edit file.