Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-18
2002-07-02
Von Buhr, Maria N. (Department: 2125)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C707S793000, C709S203000, C709S219000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06415289
ABSTRACT:
This application contains Microfiche Appendix A consisting of seven (7) slides and 590 frames.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method of manipulating and controlling information within a large scale network of computing and storage devices through the use of a common command format and centralized storage management across the network.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Application Program Interfaces for Information Processing Devices
Modern computers and information storage devices (referred to here as simply “information processing devices”) are manufactured worldwide by a wide range of companies (e.g., IBM, Compaq, Apple, etc.). A wide variety of such devices is currently manufactured.
The broad range of computers stretches from small computers designed to perform specialized tasks (e.g., operate a microwave or an ATM machine) to large, high speed, parallel processing computers such as are utilized in weather forecasting and other computing intensive applications (e.g., finite element analysis and aerodynamic modeling) and includes many computing devices between (household or business PCs).
There is also a wide variety of information storage devices including hard disks commonly used in personal computers (that may store millions or billions of bytes), CD-ROM drives, and large redundant arrays of inexpensive disks (RAID) servers that may store several trillion bytes. Of course, it is to be understood that the information stored in a byte is limited only to that information that may be represented in a binary format, i.e., the stored information may be data, a picture, a sound, a computer program, multi-media, etc.
Commonly, such a device is controlled through a command set referred to as an “interface.” Generally speaking, an interface is a high-level set of commands which an information processing device is capable of recognizing and to which it can react in some manner.
For example, as shown in
FIG. 1A
, a storage device may be instructed to delete a particular file stored on it by sending it a command such as “DELETE, file_name.” In this example, “file_name” is the name of the file or other information to be deleted.
Of course, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing example is a hypothetical example intended for purposes of illustration only. Actual interface commands are normally transmitted in digital form and may contain or require other additional or different information in a different format.
An information processing device may be controlled by, or control, other such devices by receiving or transmitting interface commands. Thus, a storage device may be controlled through an interface command (such as the one shown above) issued by a computer.
In addition, as shown in FIG.
1
B and described in more detail below, a computer may control another computer by issuing an interface command.
Typically, interface commands to which a particular information processing device responds are related to the underlying function of the particular device. For example, a storage device (a hard disk) may respond to commands such as: DELETE, COPY, STORE, RETRIEVE, MOVE, etc. On the other hand, a computer may respond to commands such as: DISPLAY, TRANSMIT, PRINT, etc. Again, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing examples are illustrative only and actual interface commands may be different or require additional information.
Interface commands to which an information processing device responds are typically selected by manufacturers or interface designers. The selection of a particular command may or may not be dictated by any particular constraints. Thus, rather than choosing the command “DELETE”, shown in the above example, a manufacturer or interface designer may select “REMOVE” or “42” or any other name for the command.
Because there are a large number of companies and individuals involved in the manufacture of information processing devices world-wide, as well as a large number of such devices, there are many different interface command sets. The command set that controls a particular device may be unique to that device.
Although not necessarily a requirement, interface commands are typically issued by computer programs. Computer programs are also referred to as “software,” “code,” or “applications.” A developer or other person will write a computer program that issues a series of interface commands when run on a separate computer.
For example, as shown in
FIG. 2
, suppose that a developer writes a computer program to print a file (e.g., a letter). When run, the computer program issues an interface command to a disk drive to retrieve the file and another to an attached printer to print it.
Information processing devices commonly accept interface commands through software/hardware referred to as an applications programming interface (API). Normally, an API is implemented through software that accepts interface commands in a specialized format and then directly or indirectly causes the device in question to perform the operations or further process the command.
For example, controller software for a disk drive, e.g., basic input/output system (BIOS) software, may implement an API by accepting an interface command such as “WRITE, file_name” and then passing the command directly to the disk drive hardware in a format suitable for actually operating the hardware. The controller software may also perform other tasks (e.g., locate free space on the disk, move the drive head to the proper location, copy the file_name information to local storage on the disk drive, and then finally write the information to the disk).
Thus, as shown in
FIG. 3
, a developer of an application can write instructions (e.g., “disk_drive(WRITE, file_name);”) that will be interpreted by other, API-implementing software. This is sometimes referred to as “writing to the API,” where the term “API” is used as a colloquialism for software that implements the API.
In order to facilitate incorporation into existing systems and future programs, API's are commonly written specifically for information processing devices comprising specific combinations of software and hardware that are unique to that device and may or may not be common to any other device.
Computer Networks
As shown in
FIG. 4
, it is well known that computers may be connected together in a network or networks so that the computers may communicate and/or share resources such as storage. Computers connected in a network may be located close together, (e.g., a local area network (LAN) in an office) or somewhat farther apart on a wide area network (WAN).
In addition, computers may be connected to the world-wide network of computers referred to as the Internet. One portion of the Internet is referred to as the World Wide Web and is a network of computers complying with a graphical interface standard similar to the widely known Windows or Macintosh interfaces. Java is a programming language/script (Java applet) developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. and incorporated or supported by other manufacturers. Java is designed to be a platform independent programming language.
Also as shown in
FIG. 4
, when operating across a network, computers may share resources such as storage. Indeed, shared storage (implying access to shared data) is one of the primary motivations for networking computers.
Shared storage reduces costs associated with computing because a single copy of the desired information may be accessed by a large number of computers. That in turn reduces some of the costs and other difficulties associated with storing and updating multiple copies of a particular piece of information.
Information processing devices which handle requests for information or activity from other devices are referred to as “servers.” Requesting devices (e.g., computers operated by end users) are referred to as “clients.” Both the term “server” and “client” focus on the operations being performed. Thus, a single computer may act as a server for some operations and a client for others. One or more clients a
Holmes Keith
Williams Mike E.
Fulbright & Jaworski LLP
Von Buhr Maria N.
Williams Communications, Inc.
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