Patent ID: 7660826

Claim:
A method of implementing a file directory, said method comprising: determining an average filename length among a plurality of filenames that describes one of a plurality of entries in the file directory, wherein the file directory includes the plurality of entries each described by a plurality of filenames, a plurality of fixed-length attribute data fields, and a plurality of variable-length attribute data fields in a server and interfacing, with said file directory, an application including a buffer, separate from the file directory and storage thereof, for retrieving and storing at least one entry among said plurality of entries; utilizing said determined average filename length to estimate a number of entries among said plurality of entries that can be stored by said buffer; determining that at least one attribute data field among said plurality of fixed-length and said plurality of variable-length attribute data fields has been requested; in response to determining at least one attribute data field among said plurality of fixed-length and said plurality of variable-length attribute data fields has been requested, recalculating said number of entries among said plurality of entries that can be stored by said buffer, wherein said recalculating includes an amount of data required for storing said plurality of filenames, said plurality of fixed-length attribute data fields, and said plurality of variable-length attribute data fields; requesting said recalculated number of entries from said file directory; and loading said buffer with said recalculated number of entries.