Patent ID: 7328225

Claim:
A method of accessing a shareable computer file, comprising: generating private areas and stub files for a plurality of Virtual Private Servers (VPSs), wherein the stub files of each VPS correspond to the shareable computer file, and wherein each VPS operates as a fully functional computer for providing services to users; selecting a VPS for responding to a request to access the shareable computer file; receiving, at the VPS, the request to access the shareable computer file; retrieving, at the selected VPS, a file ID based on a stub file corresponding to the shareable computer file, wherein the file ID is a property of the stub file, and wherein the stub file is stored in a corresponding private area of the selected VPS; copying the shareable computer file content into the stub file if a user attempts to modify the shareable computer file, and after looking up, by using the file ID, that the file is a stub file, wherein any modifications are made to the copy; accessing, inside the selected VPS, the modified copy if modifications have been made; and accessing, by the selected VPS, based on the file ID, the shareable computer file if modifications have not been made.