Patent ID: 6401126
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: H04L,H04N,Y10S

Abstract:
In a file server system having multiple data servers connected to distribute data streams over a network, each data server supporting at least one storage device, wherein data files are distributed across the data servers and stored on each of the storage devices, a method comprising the following steps:distributing among the data servers a schedule for serving requested ones of the data streams so that individual data servers view different portions of the schedule, the schedule being segmented into slots to which data streams are assigned for coordinating service of the requested data streams, the individual data servers having ownership of a current slot within their respective portions of the schedule; receiving at a particular data server a request to insert a new data stream into the current slot in the portion of the schedule currently being viewed by the particular data server; and evaluating at the particular data server whether to insert the new data stream into the current slot or to wait for a subsequent slot in the schedule based upon a distribution criteria indicating whether said insertion into the current slot, in comparison to said waiting for a subsequent slot, would result in a less even distribution of the scheduled data streams within the schedule.