Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a method, system and program storage device for maintaining an active root filesystem in a storage subsystem comprising a plurality of storage devices. The method, system and program storage device comprise searching root partitions of the plurality of storage devices for a valid root filesystem, the root filesystem including mount points associated with the plurality of storage devices; mounting a root filesystem that is found first as the active root filesystem and mounting root partitions of the plurality of storage devices to the associated mount points within the active root filesystem; and replicating the active root filesystem across the plurality of storage devices in the storage subsystem, wherein the storage subsystem is bootable from any storage device of the plurality of storage devices that includes a replica of the active root filesystem.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a method, system and program storage device for maintaining an active root filesystem in a storage subsystem comprising a plurality of storage devices. The method, system and program storage device comprise searching root partitions of the plurality of storage devices for a valid root filesystem, the root filesystem including mount points associated with the plurality of storage devices; mounting a root filesystem that is found first as the active root filesystem and mounting root partitions of the plurality of storage devices to the associated mount points within the active root filesystem; and replicating the active root filesystem across the plurality of storage devices in the storage subsystem, wherein the storage subsystem is bootable from any storage device of the plurality of storage devices that includes a replica of the active root filesystem.

Abstract: Disclose is a system, method, and program for accessing files maintained in a server that is capable of being accessed over a network. A request is received for a file maintained in the server. A determination is then made as to whether a copy of the requested file is stored in a storage system. The system then determines a delay time associated with retrieving the copy of the requested file from the storage system after determining that the storage system includes the copy of the requested file. A determination is then made as to whether the delay time exceeds a maximum delay time. The system retrieves the requested file from the storage system to return to the request after determining that the delay time does not exceed the maximum delay time. Alternatively, the system retrieves the requested file from the server over the network to return to the request after determining that the delay time exceeds the maximum delay time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system, method, and program for caching files retrieved from a server over a network. A computer system receives a request from a requesting computer system for a file maintained on the server. The computer system is capable of communicating with the server via the network. The computer system retrieves the requested file from the server over the network and stores a copy of the requested file in a primary storage. The computer system further returns another copy of the requested file to the requesting computer system. The computer system determines retrieved files to migrate from the primary storage to a secondary storage and migrates the determined retrieved files from the primary storage to the secondary storage. To determine the files to migrate from primary storage to secondary storage, the computer system may determine a distribution of file requests per unit of time according to file size for files maintained in the primary storage and the secondary storage.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for processing a file request, such as a URL request for a web page. A computer system, such as a proxy server, receives a request from a client computer for a file at a file path location, such as a Universe Resource Locator (URL), in a network. A request attribute associated with the request from the processing system is determined. Rule information indicating at least one substitute file, e.g., web page, and an attribute associated with each substitute file is processed to determine whether the determined request attribute matches an attribute associated with one substitute file. The substitute file associated with the attribute that matches the request attribute is retrieved after determining that the request attribute matches the attribute associated with the substitute file. The retrieved substitute file is then returned to the processing system via the network.

Abstract: Messages containing non-dictionary and dictionary data objects are quickly exchanged between sending and receiving devices. Data stores of the devices contain a common dictionary cross-referencing each of multiple data objects with a different dictionary index code. Data objects in the dictionary are likely to be frequently exchanged. Prior to transmission of data objects, the sending device searches its dictionary for each data object. Each data object may include text, graphics, program segments, or another type of data object. If the data object appears in the dictionary, the sending device obtains its dictionary index code. Next, the sending device transmits a message representing the data objects to the receiving device. The message includes multiple subparts each corresponding to a different data object. If a data object is not present in the dictionary, its subpart comprises the content of the data object without any dictionary encoding.

Abstract: A server selectively filters and caches internet downloading requests from attached terminals, subsequently resubmitting cached requests appropriately. With the terminals connected to the internet via the server, the server is a focal point for all internet requests. Initially, the server receives a request from an attached terminal to download desired information from the internet. The received request contains a download code, such as a universal resource locator, identifying the desired information. The server determines whether the requested download should proceed based upon information obtained from one or more of sources such as (1) server-related limitations and status, (2) limitations set forth in a user profile, and (3) characteristics of the download itself, obtained from the download code and by tentatively forwarding the request to the internet and inspecting an initial response. The server applies certain criteria to these current conditions.

Abstract: In order to increase the number of datastreams provided by a multimedia system, a cluster of clusters of multimedia A/V server subsystems is provided. Each cluster in turn is comprised of a plurality of A/V servers, a shared loop architecture plurality of data storage devices interconnected to the A/V servers whereby any storage device is substantially equally accessible by any of the servers in the cluster; and a highly available control server subsystem interconnected to the A/V servers and the data storage devices for controlling the A/V servers and the data storage devices. Each of the clusters is interconnected to a high speed switch for delivery of datastreams from the cluster to the end user. One of the control server subsystems also serves as a master control server assigning a request for a datastream to one of the clusters.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering cost-reduced, low latency, wider variety video-on-demand for digitized motion pictures. Leader files stored in disk array are accessible quickly for viewing in response to the user's selection, thereby providing low latency time from the initial request to the viewing of the leader. The remainder of the digitized movie files are stored in a robotic tape library archive system having greater access time than disk array storage but at significantly reduced storage cost. During the viewing of the leader from the rapidly accessible disk array, the remainder of a selection is accessed at a slower rate on tape and transferred to disk for viewing seamlessly at conclusion of the leader. The hybrid rapidly accessible disk storage of leader and cost effective bulk storage on tape of the remainder of selections provides both low latency and significant storage cost reduction, thereby increasing the number of video selections which may be offered.