Patent ID: 6212571
Filing Date: 2001-04-03
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
A server coupled to at least one client across a network, said server comprising:a plurality of unit servers arranged to provide a continuous stream of data to said at least one client, said data comprising a file, said file being sequentially stored among said plurality of unit servers in discrete data units, each of said discrete data units having a predetermined amount of said data, each of said unit servers including:a file apparatus in which a portion of said discrete data units are stored;file read-out means for successively reading out said discrete data units from said file apparatus;a buffer for temporarily storing said discrete data units read out by said file read-out means until transfer of said continuous stream of data ends;transfer means for transferring said discrete data units stored in said buffer to a one of said at least one client from which a request for a corresponding file has been;transfer start sign reporting means, said transfer start sign reporting means reporting, to said transfer means, a first time at which said continuous data stored in said file apparatus are to be transferred, based on an order in which said discrete data units are stored;preparation sign reporting means, said preparation sign reporting means reporting a second time to said file read-out means at which the continuous data are to be read out from said file apparatus, said time being reported prior to starting the transfer of said continuous data by the unit such that a next discrete data unit being transferred may be stored in said buffer;time synchronization means for synchronizing times of said unit servers with each other, said time synchronization means being included as part of said transfer start sign reporting means and said preparation sign reporting means, said transfer start sign reporting means and said preparation sign reporting means outputting their respective reports based on the synchronized time; andeach of said discrete data units being sequentially stored across said unit servers in a cyclical arrangement such that said discrete data units are sequentially transferred from said unit servers to said requesting client.