VHD I/O Redirection for Network Performance and Data Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network share technologies, such as CIFS, face performance issues when multiple users access the same files or a single user accesses large files, leading to poor network performance and impracticality in virtual desktop infrastructure or Remote Desktop Session Host systems.
Innovation Solution
The redirection of input/output requests to multiple remotely-located virtual hard disks (VHDs) improves network performance and data redundancy by configuring local file system locations to appear as local, allowing for efficient access and maintaining redundant backups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If files are stored on a network share (CIFS) to enable remote access, then data redundancy and accessibility are improved, but network performance deteriorates when multiple users access files simultaneously or when large files are accessed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the file access architecture by introducing virtual hard disks (VHDs) as intermediate storage units. Each user's files are divided into VHDs that can be individually managed and cached, breaking the monolithic network share access into smaller, more efficient units. This segmentation allows local caching of VHDs on client devices, reducing network traffic while maintaining remote accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces VHDs as intermediary objects between the network share and the user's local file system. These VHDs act as mediators that can be cached locally on client devices, providing a buffer that reduces direct network access requirements. The VHDs maintain the connection to the remote network share while enabling local-like performance for file operations.
2Productivity
If large files are stored locally to improve access speed, then network performance is improved, but data redundancy and security are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Large files are segmented into virtual hard disk (VHD) units that can be selectively cached on client devices. This segmentation allows the system to cache only the portions of files that are actively needed, rather than requiring entire large files to be stored locally. The segmented VHDs maintain connections to the remote network share for redundancy while providing local access speed for cached portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements partial local storage by caching only the necessary VHD units locally rather than storing complete large files. This partial action approach provides sufficient local access speed for active work while avoiding the need to maintain redundant copies of entire large files locally, thus balancing performance and storage requirements.
3Ease of operation
If multiple users access the same network share simultaneously, then collaboration is improved, but network performance and response time deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments user file access by creating user-specific VHD instances that can be cached individually on each client device. This segmentation allows each user to have their own cached copy of relevant VHDs, eliminating network contention that occurs when multiple users access the same network share simultaneously. Collaboration is maintained through the underlying network share connection, while response time improves through local caching.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements local quality by providing each user with localized cached VHDs on their individual client devices. This local quality approach ensures that each user experiences optimized performance for their specific access patterns without being affected by other users' network traffic. The local caching provides user-specific optimization while maintaining collaborative access capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies are disclosed for redirecting input/output (“I/O”) requests to virtual hard disks (“VHDs”) to improve network performance and data redundancy. More particularly, files can be encapsulated in remote VHDs and accessed in such a way that the files appear to a local operating system and any local applications to be residing locally. Furthermore, I/O requests redirected to files encapsulated in VHDs may also be redirected to one or more additional VHDs for data redundancy. The redirected I/O requests may be transmitted simultaneously but separately to the additional VHDs in a split stream.