Abstract: This application sets forth techniques for browsing and accessing files stored by a storage solution. The technique includes the steps of (1) prior to receiving a command to open a file, operating in a user space and engaging a first pathway by (a) instantiating, by an application, a preview application; (b) constructing a file path associated with the file stored in the volume; (c) providing the file path to the preview application; (d) generating, by the preview application, preview data of the file; and (e) receiving, by the preview application, a request to open the file; and (2) in response to receiving the request to open the file, engaging a second pathway to retrieve the file from the volume by: (a) generating, by the preview application, a system call to open the file; and (b) transmitting the system call to a kernel process executing within a kernel space.

Abstract: This application relates to a technique that enables data transfer between an untrusted entity and a storage of a computing device. The technique can include the steps of (1) receiving, from a buffer cache, a pointer referencing a storage location; (2) creating a first abstract reference object based on the pointer, the first abstract reference object including a value; (3) generating a buffer object that provides access to the storage location; (4) sharing access to the buffer object with a first process, where: (i) the first process includes a first reference table, and (ii) the first abstract reference object is inserted into the first reference table; (5) creating a service request that includes the first abstract reference object; (6) transmitting the service request to the first process over a messaging protocol; and (7) initializing the buffer object by associating the value of the first abstract reference object with the buffer object.

Abstract: This application sets forth techniques for browsing and accessing files stored by a storage solution. The technique includes the steps of (1) prior to receiving a command to open a file, operating in a user space and engaging a first pathway by (a) instantiating, by an application, a preview application; (b) constructing a file path associated with the file stored in the volume; (c) providing the file path to the preview application; (d) generating, by the preview application, preview data of the file; and (e) receiving, by the preview application, a request to open the file; and (2) in response to receiving the request to open the file, engaging a second pathway to retrieve the file from the volume by: (a) generating, by the preview application, a system call to open the file; and (b) transmitting the system call to a kernel process executing within a kernel space.

Abstract: This application sets forth techniques for browsing and accessing files stored by a storage solution. The technique includes the steps of (1) prior to receiving a command to open a file, operating in a user space and engaging a first pathway by (a) instantiating, by an application, a preview application; (b) constructing a file path associated with the file stored in the volume; (c) providing the file path to the preview application; (d) generating, by the preview application, preview data of the file; and (e) receiving, by the preview application, a request to open the file; and (2) in response to receiving the request to open the file, engaging a second pathway to retrieve the file from the volume by: (a) generating, by the preview application, a system call to open the file; and (b) transmitting the system call to a kernel process executing within a kernel space.

Abstract: This application relates to a technique that enables data transfer between an untrusted entity and a storage of a computing device. The technique can include the steps of (1) receiving, from a buffer cache, a pointer referencing a storage location; (2) creating a first abstract reference object based on the pointer, the first abstract reference object including a value; (3) generating a buffer object that provides access to the storage location; (4) sharing access to the buffer object with a first process, where: (i) the first process includes a first reference table, and (ii) the first abstract reference object is inserted into the first reference table; (5) creating a service request that includes the first abstract reference object; (6) transmitting the service request to the first process over a messaging protocol; and (7) initializing the buffer object by associating the value of the first abstract reference object with the buffer object.

Abstract: The described embodiments set forth techniques for managing the fragmentation of files at a computing device. Specifically, the techniques involve, for a given file, analyzing different extents of the file under a “segment window” basis to identify whether a fragmentation threshold is satisfied between the extents that correspond to the scope of the segment window. In turn, for each segment window that satisfies the threshold level of fragmentation, (1) the data for the extents is copied into an allocated area of contiguous memory, and (2) the extents are updated to reference the copied data. Additionally, the original data referred to by the extents can be freed for usage within the computing device, thereby increasing storage space. In this manner, the overall fragmentation of the file is substantially reduced under the segment window basis, thereby improving the overall performance of the computing device.

Abstract: The described embodiments set forth techniques for managing the fragmentation of files at a computing device. Specifically, the techniques involve, for a given file, analyzing different extents of the file under a “segment window” basis to identify whether a fragmentation threshold is satisfied between the extents that correspond to the scope of the segment window. In turn, for each segment window that satisfies the threshold level of fragmentation, (1) the data for the extents is copied into an allocated area of contiguous memory, and (2) the extents are updated to reference the copied data. Additionally, the original data referred to by the extents can be freed for usage within the computing device, thereby increasing storage space. In this manner, the overall fragmentation of the file is substantially reduced under the segment window basis, thereby improving the overall performance of the computing device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for discovering computing devices in a local area. A method includes receiving, by a first device, a request to provide discovery information, generating, by the first device, the discovery information, wherein the discovery information includes a communication address of the first device, and providing, by the first device, the discovery information using a short-range protocol that can be received only within a defined distance of the first device. The method can further include receiving, by a second device, the discovery information, wherein the second device is located within the defined distance of the first device, extracting, by the second device, the communication address of the first device from the discovery information, and initiating, by the second device, communication with the first device using the communication address and a communication protocol associated with the address.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for discovering computing devices in a local area. The disclosed methods include receiving, by a first device, a request to provide discovery information, generating, by the first device, the discovery information, wherein the discovery information includes a communication address of the first device, and providing, by the first device, the discovery information using a short-range protocol that can be received only within a defined distance of the first device. The methods can further include receiving, by a second device, the discovery information, wherein the second device is located within the defined distance of the first device, extracting, by the second device, the communication address of the first device from the discovery information, and initiating, by the second device, communication with the first device using the communication address and a communication protocol associated with the address.