Concurrently applying an image file while it is being downloaded using a multicast protocol

摘要

A system and a process for deploying a computer file involves a client computer applying the computer file concurrently with downloading the computer file from a file server. The concurrent operations can be performed even when the data of the computer file is downloaded out of order. The computer file includes a plurality of file segments. The client computer obtains information defining the file segments and monitors the received data of the computer file during downloading. When downloading of a file segment is complete, the client computer applies the completed segment concurrently with receiving other segments of the computer file from the file server. The process can be used when the computer file is downloaded using a multicast protocol, but is not limited to use with multicast protocols. The client computer can request only needed segments of the computer file.

主权项

1. A method for deploying a computer file that is segmented into a plurality of file segments to a computing device, comprising:
receiving, from a server computer, information defining a start offset for a particular file segment of the plurality of file segments, an end offset for the particular file segment, and a block size for at least some blocks of the computer file; calculating, based on the received start offset, end offset, and block size, a block range for the particular file segment, wherein the calculated block range defines the blocks that each include at least a portion of the particular file segment; beginning reception, into a buffer, of at least a portion of the computer file from the server computer; monitoring, based on the calculated block range, reception of the particular file segment; determining, based on the monitoring of the reception status, that reception of the particular file segment has completed; in response to the determination that the reception of the particular file segment has completed, applying, by the computing device, the received particular file segment while concurrently continuing reception of at least the portion of the computer file from the server computer; determining that all file segments that are at least partially included in a particular data block have been applied; and in response to the determination that all file segments that are at least partially included in the particular data block have been applied, making space, from the buffer, that is associated with the particular data block available.