SFA-REST Interface for Unified File Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional data access protocols and APIs fail to provide comprehensive support for integrated SMB and REST functionality, limiting effective file sharing and constraint-based client-server interactions, and traditional file system access methods are complex and expensive to implement and maintain.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a SFA-REST interface that integrates the functionality of Shared File Access (SFA) and Representational State Transfer (REST) protocols, enabling parallel access to file systems on a cloud computing platform, with components like cache management and snapshotting to support seamless file sharing and backup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional data access protocols and APIs are used, then each protocol functions independently, but integrated file sharing and constraint-based client server interaction is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegrated functionalityVSAvoidprotocol integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines SFA and REST protocols into a unified interface that allows both protocols to operate simultaneously on the same file system. The system merges the capabilities of SFA (for file sharing operations) and REST (for constraint-based client-server interactions) into a single integrated access point, eliminating the need for separate protocol implementations while providing comprehensive functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The unified SFA-REST interface serves multiple functions: it handles traditional file sharing operations through SFA semantics while simultaneously supporting constraint-based access patterns through REST semantics. The interface is designed to be universal, accepting requests from both SFA clients and REST clients and routing them appropriately to the same underlying file system resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional file system access methods are implemented, then comprehensive file access control is achieved, but implementation and maintenance complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess controlVSAvoidimplementation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a unified SFA-REST interface as an intermediary layer between clients and the file system. This intermediary handles the complexity of access control by translating both SFA and REST requests into unified file system operations. The interface mediates between different protocol requirements and the underlying file system, simplifying implementation while maintaining comprehensive access control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If separate SFA and REST APIs are implemented, then protocol-specific functionality is preserved, but parallel access to file systems is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparallel accessVSAvoidprotocol support

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges SFA and REST protocol support into a single unified interface that enables parallel access to file systems. By combining the protocol handlers at the interface level, the system allows multiple clients using different protocols to access the same file resources simultaneously without conflict, while preserving the specific functionality and semantics of each protocol.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11641397B2File service using a shared file access-rest interface

Publication Date: 2023.05.02 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

In various embodiments, methods and systems for providing access to file systems are provided. An SFA-based operation having an operation modifier for a file in a file system is received. The SFA-based operation is defined based on a file-representational state transfer (REST) interface. The SFA-REST interface comprises integrated functionality of an SFA protocol and REST protocol. The SFA-based operation is executed using the operation modifier. A REST-based operation for the file in the distributed file storage is received. The REST-based operation is defined based on the SFA-REST interface. The operation modifier is referenced in order to execute the REST-based operation. The REST-based operation based on the SFA-REST interface. A schema can be implemented for accessing the file system. The schema includes tables to store files, the table comprises fields corresponding to elements of a SFA-REST interface. A snapshot component can be implemented to backup file shares in the file system.