Managing Digital Files with Shared Locks

摘要

A method for managing the access and use of digital files stored in a file storage networked with multiple servers, including the steps of: a requesting server among the multiple servers that desires to access and use a file stored in the file storage sending to the other servers of the multiple servers a query containing an identification (ID) of the file; each of the other servers receiving the query checking an internal lock list to ascertain whether the file ID is listed therein, if listed then returning a failure message to the requesting server, but if not listed then returning a success message to the requesting server; and the requesting server determining from all returning messages whether a failure message exists, if exists then not to access and use the file, and sending repeated queries at a predetermined time interval, but if not exist then access and use the file, and sending a notice to all other servers when finishing using the file.

主权项

1. A method for managing the access and use of digital files stored in a file storage networked with multiple servers, comprising the steps of:
(a) a requesting server among the multiple servers that desires to access and use a file stored in the file storage sending to the other servers of the multiple servers a query containing an identification (ID) of the file; (b) each of the other servers receiving the query checking an internal lock list to ascertain whether the file ID is listed therein, (b)(i) if listed then returning a failure message to the requesting server; (b)(ii) if not listed then returning a success message to the requesting server; (c) the requesting server determining from all returning messages whether a failure message exists,
(c)(i) if exists then not to access and use the file, and sending repeated queries at a predetermined time interval; and(c)(ii) if not exist then access and use the file, and sending a notice to all other servers when finishing using the file.