Network file sharing method and system
A method for writing file data from client to server which comprises writing file data from a client to a server, wherein the client issues to the server a file transfer proposal that includes the names of a plurality of files to be transferred and attributes of each of the plurality of files. The server determines optimum memory locations for the plurality of files and optimum sequence and size of data transfer and issues to the client a request to transfer the plurality of files in a sequence that is optimized for memory location and minimal number of data transfers, thereby maximizing data transfer rate from the client to the server. Client computer, server computer, and network apparatus that are configured to implement the method are also disclosed.
1. A method for transferring a file, comprising:
receiving from a sending device a file transfer proposal that includes information describing a file to be transferred from the sending device to a destination device at which the file is to be transferred, the information includes the size of the file to be transferred;
determining at the destination device, prior to the content of the file being transferred and based at least in part on the information describing the file including the size of the file to be transferred, a storage location at the destination device for the file to be transferred to;
receiving, at the destination device, the content of the file; and
storing the content of the file in the previously determined storage location at the destination device.
2. A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising issuing to the sending device, subsequent to determining the storage location, a file transfer request to cause transfer to be initiated.
3. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the information describing the file indicates a size of the file and determines the storage location including determining based at least in part on the size of the file a location in which the entire file can be stored contiguously.
4. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the sending device and/or the destination device is/are associated with a storage area network.
5. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the destination device is associated with a server.
6. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein:
the destination device includes a plurality of pieces of media; and
determining includes selecting from the plurality of pieces of media.
7. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising determining at least one of the following: a file transfer sequence, a block transfer sequence, and/or a data transfer size.
8. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein a plurality of files are to be transferred and the method further comprises determining a file transfer sequence based at least in part on time(s) associated with retrieving the plurality of files from the sending device.
9. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein a plurality of files are to be transferred and the method further comprises determining a file transfer sequence based at least in part on time(s) associated with storing the plurality of files on the destination device.
10. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising transferring the file using a third party other than the destination device or the sending device.
11. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the file to be transferred includes a plurality of blocks and the storage location includes a plurality of block locations associated with the destination device for the plurality of blocks to be transferred to.
12. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the information describing the file includes at least one of (1) a size of the file to be transferred or (2) one or more locations of data block(s) that compose the file to be transferred.
13. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the information describing the file includes one or more additional attributes of the file.
14. A system for transferring a file, comprising:
a processor; and
a memory coupled with the processor, wherein the memory is configured to provide the processor with instructions which when executed cause the processor to:
receive from a sending device a file transfer proposal that includes information describing a file to be transferred from the sending device to a destination device at which the file is to be transferred, the information includes the size of the file to be transferred;
determine at the destination device, prior to the content of the file being transferred and based at least in part on the information describing the file including the size of the file to be transferred, a storage location at the destination device for the file to be transferred to;
receive, at the destination device, the content of the file; and
store the content of the file in the previously determined storage location at the destination device.
15. A system as recited in claim 14 , wherein the sending device and/or the destination device is/are associated with a storage area network.
16. A system as recited in claim 14 , wherein the memory is configured to provide the processor with further instructions for determining at least one of the following: a file transfer sequence, a block transfer sequence, and/or a data transfer size.
17. A system as recited in claim 14 , wherein the memory is configured to provide the processor with further instructions for transferring the file using a third party other than the destination device or the sending device.
18. A system as recited in claim 14 , wherein the file to be transferred includes a plurality of blocks and the storage location includes a plurality of block locations associated with the destination device for the plurality of blocks to be transferred to.
19. A computer program product for transferring a file, the computer program product being embodied in a computer readable storage medium and comprising computer instructions for:
receiving from a sending device a file transfer proposal that includes information describing a file to be transferred from the sending device to a destination device at which the file is to be transferred, the information includes the size of the file to be transferred;
determining at the destination device to which, prior to the content of the file being transferred and based at least in part on the information describing the file including the size of the file to be transferred, a storage location at the destination device for the file to be transferred to;
receiving, at the destination device, the content of the file; and
storing the content of the file in the previously determined storage location at the destination device.
20. A computer program product as recited in claim 19 , wherein the sending device and/or the destination device is/are associated with a storage area network.
21. A computer program product as recited in claim 19 , the computer program product further comprising computer instructions for determining at least one of the following: a file transfer sequence, a block transfer sequence, and/or a data transfer size.
22. A computer program product as recited in claim 19 , the computer program product further comprising computer instructions for transferring the file using a third party other than the destination device or the sending device.
23. A computer program product as recited in claim 19 , wherein the file to be transferred includes a plurality of blocks and the storage location includes a plurality of block locations associated with the destination device for the plurality of blocks to be transferred to.