Patent ID: 7349943
Filing Date: 2008-03-25
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. In a computing environment, a method of protocol-independent client side file caching providing a uniform experience for a plurality of file server types, the method comprising: inserting as a service within the computing environment, a protocol-independent client-side cache mechanism, the mechanism being enabled to handle file-related requests directed to a network, the mechanism registering with a system component that receives network file-related I/O requests, and the mechanism being enabled to satisfy said file-related requests via a client-side cache, wherein insertion of the client-side caching mechanism is accomplished, at least in part, by overwriting file system redirector device object data; receiving an I/O request initiated from an application program directed to creating or opening a network file on a server; calling a client-side caching pre-process, the client-side caching pre-process claiming a path to a copy of the file in logical namespace; calling a redirector, the redirector claiming a path to a copy of the network file in physical namespace and providing redirector data for association with the file such that a buffering service can call back to the redirector; calling a client-side caching post-process, the client-side caching post-process modifying the redirector data associated with the file such that the buffering service will call back to the client-side caching mechanism; and the client-side caching mechanism maintaining a copy of the redirector data in association with the file, so that the client-side caching mechanism can communicate with the redirector.