Abstract: A switched file system, also termed a file switch, is logically positioned between client computers and file servers in a computer network. The file switch distributes user files among multiple file servers using aggregated file, transaction and directory mechanisms. The file switch supports caching of a particular aggregated data file either locally in a client computer or in the file switch in accordance with the exclusivity level of an opportunistic lock granted to the entity that requested caching. The opportunistic lock can be obtained either on the individual data files stored in the file servers or on the metadata files that contain the location of each individual data files in the file servers. The opportunistic lock can be broken if another client tries to access the aggregated data file. Opportunistic locks allows client-side caching while preserving data integrity and consistency, hence the performance of the switched file system is increased.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided in a computer network to decouple the client from the server, by placing a transparent network node, also termed a file switch or file switch computer, between the client and the server. Usage of such a file switch allows reduced latency in file transfers, as well as scalable mirroring, striping, spillover, and other features.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the field of real-time software, and, more specifically, to an apparatus, method and system for building complex high-performance software by composition.

Abstract: In a switched file system, a file switching device is logically positioned between clients and file servers and communicates with the clients and the file servers using standard network file protocols. The file switching device appears as a server to the client devices and as a client to the file servers. The file switching device aggregates storage from multiple file servers into a global filesystem and presents a global namespace to the client devices. The file switching device typically supports a “native” mode for integrating legacy files into the global namespace and an “extended” mode for actively managing files across one or more file servers. Typically, native-mode files may be accessed directly or indirectly via the file switching device, while extended-mode files may be accessed only through the file switching device. The file switching device may manage file storage using various types of rules, e.g., for managing multiple storage tiers or for applying different types of encoding schemes to files.

Abstract: A switched file system, also termed a file switch, is logically positioned between client computers and file servers in a computer network. The file switch distributes user files among multiple file servers using aggregated file, transaction and directory mechanisms. The file switch distributes and aggregates the client data files in accordance with a predetermined set of aggregation rules. Each rule can be modified independently of the other rules. Different aggregation rules can be used for different types of files, thereby adapting the characteristics of the switched file system to the intended use and to the expected or historical access patterns for different data files.

Abstract: A switched file system, also termed a file switch, is logically positioned between client computers and file servers in a computer network. The file switch distributes user files among multiple file servers using aggregated file, transaction and directory mechanisms. The file switch ensures consistent and atomic behavior of the switched file system by aggregating in a deterministic way the transactions initiated by the client of multiple independent file switches so that only one of the multiple concurrent transactions attempted on the same aggregated data file may succeed, or so that the transactions are serialized so as to be performed as a sequence of atomic operations. In addition, the integrity of the aggregated data file is safeguarded by issuing locking requests on behalf of certain client applications that do not observe locking mechanism consistently.

Abstract: A system for executing applications designed to run on a single SMP computer on an easily scalable network of computers, while providing each application with computing resources, including processing power, memory and others that exceed the resources available on any single computer. A server agent program, a grid switch apparatus and a grid controller apparatus are included. Methods for creating processes and resources, and for accessing resources transparently across multiple servers are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided in a computer network to decouple client computers from file servers, by placing a transparent network node, also termed a file switch or file switch computer, between the client computers and the file servers. Usage of such a file switch allows reduced latency in file transfers, as well as scalable mirroring, striping, spillover, and other features. The file switch preferably includes at least one processing unit for executing computer programs, at least one port for exchanging information with the file servers and client computers, and a file aggregation module. The file aggregation module includes computer programs for determining a set of file servers from the group of file servers for storing a specified user file, creating a metadata file storing information identifying the set of file servers for storing the user file; and updating directory structures on the set of file servers to indicate storage of the user file.

Abstract: A system for executing applications designed to run on a single SMP computer on an easily scalable network of computers, while providing each application with computing resources, including processing power, memory and others that exceed the resources available on any single computer. A server agent program, a grid switch apparatus and a grid controller apparatus are included. Methods for creating processes and resources, and for accessing resources transparently across multiple servers are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are disclosed for visually constructing and rapidly delivering distributed applications. The system includes a virtual appliance apparatus and a composite appliance apparatus, as well as a system for virtualizing hardware resources and for provisioning, executing and scaling distributed applications.

Abstract: A system for executing applications designed to run on a single SMP computer on an easily scalable network of computers, while providing each application with computing resources, including processing power, memory and others that exceed the resources available on any single computer. A server agent program, a grid switch apparatus and a grid controller apparatus are included. Methods for creating processes and resources, and for accessing resources transparently across multiple servers are also provided.

Abstract: A file switch, logically positioned between client computers and file servers in a computer network, distributes user files among multiple file servers using an aggregated directory mechanism. A hierarchical directory structure is created on the file servers and used to store metadata files, which store metadata for each user file to indicate where data files, containing portions of the user file, are stored. The file switch automatically spreads the data files and metadata files over a large number of distinct directories on multiple file servers, preventing large number of data files from being stored in a single directory on a single file server. In response to a directory enumeration request from a client computer, one or more directories of metadata files on one or more of the file servers are enumerated, instead of enumerating the data file that store the user file portions.

Abstract: Client computers are decoupled from file servers in a computer network, by placing a network node, also termed a file switch or file switch computer, between the client computers and the file servers. To the client computers, the file switch appears to be a file server having enormous storage capabilities and high throughput. To the file servers, the file switch appears to be a client as it delegates a single transaction received from a client computer to multiple file servers. The file switch aggregates the file servers' responses to the client computer's request and presents a single response back to the client computer. The file switch performs this transaction aggregation function in a manner that is transparent to both the client computers and the file servers.

Abstract: A switched file system, also termed a file switch, is logically positioned between client computers and file servers in a computer network. The file switch distributes user files among multiple file servers using aggregated file, transaction and directory mechanisms. The file switch distributes and aggregates the client data files in accordance with a predetermined set of aggregation rules. Each rule can be modified independently of the other rules. Different aggregation rules can be used for different types of files, thereby adapting the characteristics of the switched file system to the intended use and to the expected or historical access patterns for different data files.

Abstract: A file switch, logically positioned between client computers and file servers in a computer network, distributes user files among multiple file servers using an aggregated directory mechanism. A hierarchical directory structure is created on the file servers and used to store metadata files, which store metadata for each user file to indicate where data files, containing portions of the user file, are stored. The file switch automatically spreads the data files and metadata files over a large number of distinct directories on multiple file servers, preventing large number of data files from being stored in a single directory on a single file server. In response to a directory enumeration request from a client computer, one or more directories of metadata files on one or more of the file servers is enumerated, instead of enumerating the data file that store the user file portions.

Abstract: Client computers are decoupled from file servers in a computer network, by placing a network node, also termed a file switch or file switch computer, between the client computers and the file servers. To the client computers, the file switch appears to be a file server having enormous storage capabilities and high throughput. To the file servers, the file switch appears to be a client as it delegates a single transaction received from a client computer to multiple file servers. The file switch aggregates the file servers' responses to the client computer's request and presents a single response back to the client computer. The file switch performs this transaction aggregation function in a manner that is transparent to both the client computers and the file servers.

Abstract: A switched file system, also termed a file switch, is logically positioned between client computers and file servers in a computer network. The file switch distributes user files among multiple file servers using aggregated file, transaction and directory mechanisms. The file switch supports caching of a particular aggregated data file either locally in a client computer or in the file switch in accordance with the exclusivity level of an opportunistic lock granted to the entity that requested caching. The opportunistic lock can be obtained either on the individual data files stored in the file servers or on the metadata files that contain the location of each individual data files in the file servers. The opportunistic lock can be broken if another client tries to access the aggregated data file. Opportunistic locks allows client-side caching while preserving data integrity and consistency, hence the performance of the switched file system is increased.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided in a computer network to decouple client computers from file servers, by placing a transparent network node, also termed a file switch or file switch computer, between the client computers and the file servers. Usage of such a file switch allows reduced latency in file transfers, as well as scalable mirroring, striping, spillover, and other features. The file switch preferably includes at least one processing unit for executing computer programs, at least one port for exchanging information with the file servers and client computers, and a file aggregation module. The file aggregation module includes computer programs for determining a set of file servers from the group of file servers for storing a specified user file, creating a metadata file storing information identifying the set of file servers for storing the user file; and updating directory structures on the set of file servers to indicate storage of the user file.

Abstract: A switched file system, also termed a file switch, is logically positioned between client computers and file servers in a computer network. The file switch distributes user files among multiple file servers using aggregated file, transaction and directory mechanisms. The file switch ensures consistent and atomic behavior of the switched file system by aggregating in a deterministic way the transactions initiated by the client of multiple independent file switches so that only one of the multiple concurrent transactions attempted on the same aggregated data file may succeed, or so that the transactions are serialized so as to be performed as a sequence of atomic operations. In addition, the integrity of the aggregated data file is safeguarded by issuing locking requests on behalf of certain client applications that do not observe locking mechanism consistently.

Abstract: A system of reusable software parts for designing and constructing software components, applications and entire systems by assembly. Parts for generating events, shaping, distributing and controlling flows of events and other interactions are included. Also included are parts for handling synchronization and desynchronization of events and other interactions between parts, as well as parts for handling properties, parameterizing and serializing components, applications and systems. In addition, innovative adapter parts for interfacing parts that are not designed to work together are included. The system includes a dynamic container for software parts which supports integration of dynamically changing sets of parts into statically defined structures of parts. Other reusable parts for achieving such integration are also included.