SMB Request Prefetching via Proxy Server Pattern Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
High latency in network communications when interacting with remote file servers due to the need for multiple SMB requests, which can significantly delay user interactions with files, especially in environments with high latency like satellite networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing SMB request prefetching by identifying predictable patterns in SMB request offset values and intercepting these requests at a proxy server to prefetch subsequent requests, reducing the need for multiple round trips and thus minimizing latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple SMB requests are sent sequentially to a remote file server, then file locking and unlocking operations can be performed correctly, but the total time required for file actions increases significantly due to network latency
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by intercepting and analyzing SMB requests at a proxy server, identifying predictable patterns in request sequences, and prefetching subsequent requests before they are actually needed. This allows the system to prepare responses in advance, reducing the effective latency experienced by users while maintaining the correctness of file locking operations.
2Loss of time
If SMB requests are intercepted and analyzed at a proxy server to identify patterns, then subsequent requests can be prefetched to reduce latency, but the complexity of the network system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a proxy server as an intermediary component between the client and the remote file server. This intermediary intercepts SMB requests, analyzes their patterns, and manages prefetching operations. By placing this intelligence at the proxy layer rather than modifying end systems or server infrastructure, the solution reduces latency without significantly increasing the complexity of core file server operations.
3Productivity
If SMB requests are prefetched based on predictable patterns, then the number of round trips is reduced and latency is minimized, but the accuracy of pattern matching must be maintained to avoid incorrect prefetching
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback mechanisms to monitor and learn from actual SMB request patterns. By continuously analyzing the sequence and timing of requests, the proxy server refines its understanding of predictable patterns and adjusts its prefetching behavior accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that prefetching decisions remain accurate while maximizing the reduction in round trips and latency.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described for accelerating a user experience involving transactions with a remote file server by identifying and prefetching simple message block (SMB) requests. Embodiments exploit applications' usage of certain SMB request offset value patterns to reliably prefetch SMB requests. Requests from a user to a remote file server are intercepted by a proxy server disposed in the communications network relatively local to the file server. When a known SMB request offset value is detected and other conditions are met, a set of other SMB request offset values is prefetched by the proxy server according to a predetermined pattern. These prefetched requests may be sent, along with the original request, in a single transaction over the communications link from the proxy server to the requesting user (e.g., via a proxy client associated with the requesting user).