Distributed cache between servers of a network

Abstract

A distributed cache module that allows for a distributed cache between multiple servers of a network without using a central cache manager. The distributed cache module transmits each message with a logical timestamp. The distributed cache module of a server that receives the message will delay forwarding of the message to, for example, a client computer, if preceding timestamps are not received. This insures a correct order of timestamped messages without requiring a central manager to allocate and control the transmission of the messages within the network. Each distributed cache module will request and possibly retrieve data from the cache of another server in response to a file request for the data. The data of a file may be accessed by a plurality of servers joined in a file context.

1 . A distributed cache system that includes a first server that has a first cache and a second server that has a second cache, comprising:
 a first distributed cache module that resides in the first server and transfers a message and a logical timestamp; and,   a second distributed cache module that resides in the second server and receives the message, said second distributed cache module delays a transfer of the message if said second server has not received all preceding logical timestamps.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first distributed cache module has a cookie. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second distributed cache modules each have a unique member ID in a context. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first distributed cache module assigns its own unique member ID. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first distributed cache module contains a prediction of a location of data in said second cache of said second server. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said logical timestamp includes an n array where n is equal to a number of servers in a file context. 
   
   
       7 . A network, comprising:
 a first server that includes a first cache and a first distributed cache module, said first distributed cache module transfers a message and a logical timestamp; and,   a second server that includes a second cache and a second distributed cache module, said second distributed cache module receives the message and delays the transfer of the message if said second server has not received all preceding logical timestamps.   
   
   
       8 . The network of  claim 7 , wherein said first distributed cache module has a cookie. 
   
   
       9 . The network of  claim 7 , wherein said first and second distributed cache modules each have a unique member ID for a context. 
   
   
       10 . The network of  claim 7 , wherein said first distributed cache module assigned its own unique member ID. 
   
   
       11 . The network of  claim 7 , wherein said first distributed cache module contains a prediction of a location of data in said second cache of said second server. 
   
   
       12 . The network of  claim 7 , wherein said logical timestamp includes an n array where n is equal to a number of servers in a context. 
   
   
       13 . The network of  claim 7 , further comprising a rogue server and a network attached storage, said first and second distributed cache modules verify a file before transferring a file from said network attached storage. 
   
   
       14 . The network of  claim 7 , wherein said first cache includes a first file block and said second cache includes a second file block, said first distributed cache module requests and retrieves said second file block from said second cache. 
   
   
       15 . A method for transferring a message between a first server that has a first cache and a second server that has a second cache, comprising:
 transmitting a message and a logical timestamp from the first server;   receiving the message at the second server;   determining whether the second server has received all preceding logical timestamps; and,   delaying a transfer of the message if the second server has not received all preceding logical timestamps.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first server has a cookie. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising transmitting from the first server a message with a self assigned member ID to enter a context. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising transmitting from the second server to the first server a NACK message with a suggested member ID. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising transmitting from the second server an ACK message and member IDs for every server in a context. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the second server requests and retrieves a data file block located in the first cache of the first server. 
   
   
       21 - 52 . (canceled)