Patent ID: 6654795
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A system for distribution of network file accesses over storage devices, comprising:(a) one or more storage device systems containing files, wherein each storage device system is capable of performing the steps of: (i) receiving a file access request; (ii) responsive to the receipt of the file access request, generating a file data packet; and (iii) outputting the generated file data packet; and (b) one or more indexing systems, wherein each indexing system is capable of performing the steps of: (i) receiving a file access request comprising a file identifier; (ii) locating a storage device system containing a file corresponding to the file identifier in the received file access request; and (iii) forwarding the received file access request to tbe located storage device system; and (c) a gateway system for performing the steps of: (i) establishing a connection between a client computer and a selected indexing system; (ii) forwarding a file access request received from the client computer to the selected indexing system; and (iii) upon receiving the generated file data packet from a selected storage device system, changing the connection between the client computer and the selected indexing system to a connection between the client computer and the located storage device system.