Universal Connector for NAS File Name Validation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data management systems for network attached storage (NAS) face challenges in efficiently handling large numbers of files, incremental backups, and protocol compatibility, leading to interruptions and limitations in file size and naming conventions across different operating systems.

Innovation Solution

A universal connector provides a protocol-agnostic solution that optimizes backups by batching requests, managing network bandwidth, and parallelizing file processing, while bypassing OS-imposed file system limitations through a user-space file system that supports multiple protocols and large file sizes, enabling efficient data management across diverse workloads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If applications are upgraded to newer versions, then functionality and performance are improved, but operation of computing devices is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication versionVSAvoidoperation interruption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by creating backups of applications and their associated files before upgrades occur. The backup service continuously monitors and maintains backup copies, so when an upgrade is needed, the system can restore from backup rather than interrupting operation. This preliminary backup action eliminates the need to stop computing devices during application updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a universal connector implements multiple protocols, then protocol compatibility and versatility are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoidconnector structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The universal connector is designed with multi-functionality to support multiple protocols including NFS, SMB, and others. Instead of creating separate connectors for each protocol, a single universal connector handles all protocols through a unified architecture that translates between different protocol requirements and the underlying storage system, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining broad compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The universal connector acts as an intermediary layer between the storage system and various clients using different protocols. It mediates all protocol-specific communications, translating diverse protocol requirements into a unified internal format that the storage system can handle, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture while supporting multiple protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If OS-imposed file system limitations are enforced, then system stability is maintained, but file size and naming conventions are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile system stabilityVSAvoidfile size support

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The user-space file system acts as an intermediary between the OS file system and the storage system. It intercepts file operations and manages files larger than the OS can handle natively. The user-space file system translates these operations into a format compatible with OS limitations while maintaining support for large files and diverse naming conventions, thus preserving both stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an additional layer (user-space file system) above the OS file system. This dimensional addition allows the system to bypass OS-imposed limitations by handling file management at a higher abstraction level, where files can be represented and managed without being constrained by OS file size or naming restrictions, while the underlying OS remains stable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Productivity

If batch processing is used for backups, then backup efficiency is improved, but processing time for individual files increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup efficiencyVSAvoidindividual file processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple backup operations into batch processing, grouping files and operations that can be handled together. By combining related backup tasks into batches, the system reduces overhead and improves overall efficiency, while the user-space file system ensures that individual file operations within the batch maintain appropriate timing and resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12007946B2Systems and methods for managing path and file names using a universal connector

Publication Date: 2024.06.11 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A method for writing a file to a network attached storage (NAS) server, the method that includes receiving, by a universal connector executing in a user space, a write request from an application executing in the user space, where the write request includes a filename, and in response to receiving the write request, allocating a dynamic buffer, where a first size of the dynamic buffer is larger than a second size of the filename, sending a system limitation request to the NAS server, receiving, in response to the system limitation request, system limitations from the NAS server, where the system limitations comprise a filename size limit, validating the filename against the system limitations, and sending, based on the validating, the write request to the NAS server.