Patent ID: 7373647

Claim:
A method for optimizing file table usage comprising: storing file descriptors which reference a first socket pair within a file table associated with a dispatcher process to reduce a number of file descriptors simultaneously stored within said file table associated with said dispatcher process, wherein said first socket pair stores a plurality of file descriptors associated with an agent process, and each of said plurality of file descriptors references a corresponding closed file within a context of said agent process, transferring said file descriptors which reference said first socket pair to said agent process via an inter-process communication (IPC) mechanism, receiving said file descriptors which reference first socket pair from said agent process via the IPC mechanism, wherein said IPC mechanism comprises a second socket pair, wherein said second socket pair comprises a shared socket pair, and obtaining said shared socket pair from a pool of shared socket pairs prior to a transfer of said file descriptors which reference said first socket pair to said agent process.