System and method for automounting and accessing remote file systems in microsoft windows in a networking environment

摘要

A virtual file system accessing subsystem is disclosed for use in connection with a computer system connected in a computer network. The computer system runs a selected operating system, such as Microsoft's MS-DOS and Windows operating systems. The virtual file system accessing subsystem facilitates the accessing of a virtual logical storage device that is identified by a virtual logical storage device identifier and that has a virtual logical storage device file system that includes at least a portion of a remote file system maintained by another device connected in the computer network. The virtual file system accessing subsystem comprises an operating system request redirector for enabling the operating system to direct access requests from an application program which identify the virtual logical storage device to a remote access element for processing. The remote access element initiates access operations in connection with the portion of the remote file system which is included in the virtual logical storage device file system in response to an access request that is generated by an application program which identifies the virtual logical storage device identifier, which access request has been transferred thereto said remote access element by the operating system. If the portion of the remote file system being accessed has not previously been mounted, the remote access element enables an automounting element to initiate a mounting operation in connection with the remote file system to mount the portion, after which the remote access element can perform the access operation. <IMAGE>