Peer Node File Retrieval for Cloud Storage Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
On-demand cloud storage configurations face significant network latency due to reliance on slower Internet connections for file retrieval, particularly on devices with limited local storage capacity like smartphones and tablets.
Innovation Solution
A method where a client node checks if a requested file is stored locally on peer nodes within a local area network, allowing for direct download from peers over a high-speed LAN instead of the cloud storage server via a WAN, thereby reducing latency while maintaining low local storage consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If files are downloaded on-demand from cloud storage server via WAN, then local storage space consumption is minimized, but access latency increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces peer nodes as intermediaries between the client node and cloud storage server. When a file is needed, the system first checks if any peer nodes have the file cached locally. If found, the file is transferred via high-speed LAN connection instead of downloading from remote cloud storage, thus reducing access latency while maintaining low local storage consumption on the client device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-caching files on peer nodes before they are needed by the client. When files are downloaded to peer nodes, they are stored locally on these devices, creating a distributed cache network. This preliminary caching enables fast local retrieval when peers are available, avoiding slow WAN downloads later.
2Loss of time
If files are synchronized to all computing devices, then access latency is eliminated and offline access is enabled, but local storage space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of synchronizing files to all devices uniformly, the patent implements local quality by allowing each device to cache files selectively based on its own storage capacity and usage patterns. Peer nodes with sufficient storage space maintain local copies, while devices with limited storage (like smartphones) can still access files through their peers without storing them locally.
3Speed
If peer-to-peer file transfer is implemented, then access speed increases via LAN connection, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling peer nodes to automatically discover each other and share file location information without centralized coordination. When a client node needs a file, it queries peer nodes which respond with their local file status. The transfer process is automated, with nodes independently managing their own file caching and sharing without requiring complex centralized management infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a client node generates a listing of files associated with a user account, where the listing includes one or more files that are stored remotely on a server system without being synchronized to local storage of the client node. The client node further receives a request to access a file from the listing and determines whether the file is stored locally on the client node. If the file is not stored locally on the client node, the client node discovers peer client nodes that are coupled with the client node and determines whether the file is stored locally on any peer client node. If the file is stored locally on a peer client node, the client node retrieves the file from the peer client node. If the file is not stored locally on any peer client node, the client node retrieves the file from the server system.