Resource Management Facility for Offline Client Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Most client/server applications do not handle offline operations effectively, making it difficult for users to work seamlessly whether online or offline, and programmers face challenges in coding applications that cross the online/offline boundary.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a Resource Management Facility (RMF) to queue data for synchronization with a server, allowing clients to operate online or offline by determining synchronization protocols and prioritizing updates, ensuring seamless operation without requiring the application to be aware of its network status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If most client/server applications do not handle offline operations, then the application structure remains simple, but users cannot work seamlessly when offline
Solution Approach 1:
A resource management facility is introduced as an intermediary component between the application and the network. This facility handles all offline/online boundary logic, queueing resources for synchronization when offline and managing synchronization protocols when online, allowing the application itself to remain simple while gaining robust offline operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the application layer, the resource management facility layer, and the network layer. The resource management facility operates as an independent intermediary that manages synchronization logic separately from the application logic, enabling offline operation without complicating the application structure.
2Productivity
If programmers completely abandon offline support in web-based applications, then the programming task is simplified, but the application cannot function when the user is offline
Solution Approach 1:
The resource management facility provides self-service functionality by automatically detecting network status, queuing resources when offline, and managing synchronization when online. This eliminates the need for programmers to manually implement offline support logic, maintaining ease of programming while ensuring continuous application functionality both online and offline.
Solution Approach 2:
The resource management facility serves multiple functions: it manages offline queuing, handles synchronization protocols, determines network status, and coordinates resource updates. By consolidating these functions into a single universal component, the system achieves robust functionality without increasing programming complexity.
3Reliability
If the application is made aware of network status, then synchronization can be controlled, but the application logic becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The resource management facility acts as an intermediary that shields the application from network status awareness. It internally manages network detection, resource queuing, and synchronization control, allowing the application to operate with simple, network-agnostic logic while maintaining reliable synchronization control through the facility's mediation.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates the operation of a client/server application while a client is online or offline. The system operates by receiving a request from an application at a client to synchronize data with a server. In response to the request, the system places the data in a resource, wherein the resource can be a file. Next, the system sends an acknowledgement to the application. The system then determines a protocol for synchronizing the resource with the server. Finally, the system queues the resource for synchronization with the server, or optionally synchronizes the resource with the server immediately.