Abstract: A method for resolving file system conflicts between a client file system and a server file system after the client file system has been disconnected from the server file system. Changes to the client file system are replayed for application to the server file system. Conflicts between the proposed changes and the current state of the server file system are detected and actions conditioned on the conflict type are presented to a user for selection. User selection and conflict type are used to determine the conflict resolution to apply to the client data during application. All conflicts are resolved as they are detected. The resynchronization process is controllable by the user from a display panel that presents the replay status and allows user interaction to monitor and alter the replay of transactions. The novel interface allows detailed control of the resynchronization.

Abstract: A process and article of manufacture for optimally logging and replaying file system transactions from a mobile file system. The process logs file system transactions in chronological order except for file and directory object renaming transactions that are logged before all other transactions. Each transaction log entry includes a transaction type and file identifier that is expanded dynamically during the replay cycle. The dynamic expansion of the identifier reduces the number of log entries required where file or directory objects are renamed. The transaction log is optimized as each transaction is inserted or appended on the client. The optimization process eliminates transactions that are rendered invalid or superfluous by the most recent transaction. The dynamic expansion feature allows RENAME transactions to be optimized because MKDIR and CREATE transactions automatically are expanded to the new file system object name, eliminating the need to log the RENAME transaction.

Abstract: An improved file system apparatus and method for minimizing the length of time a client system waits before declaring a data communication link disconnected. The apparatus and method dynamically modify a file system request time-out value based on the actual length of time required to service each file system request. In one embodiment, a time-out value is determined for each request type based on the actual response time and a buffer time for each request type. The response timer is based on readings from a system clock therefore operating as a low overhead process. A monitoring system periodically tests the server to ensure that a physical connection still exists.