Home Networking as a Distributed File System view
Serge Defrance, Rémy Gendrot, Jean Le Roux, Gilles Straub, Thierry Tapie
Technicolor R&D, Rennes, France.
Distributed Storage, Rennes, September 2011
The problem and our approachHow to implement the proposed solutionThe potential benefits for user
applications
Outline
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Heterogeneous home network environment
Organize the access to the content stored in or from the various devices.
Where our reflexion starts…
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PCs
TabletsGameConsoles
TV sets
NAS?
UPNP/DLNA, the most accomplished candidate Zero configuration protocol Targets unskilled users
Still evolving Requires updates May generate incompatibilities
A unique protocol
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PCs
TabletsGameConsoles
TV sets
NAS
Minimize software installation on devices Central Equipment connected to each device Always powered on May be controlled by the ISP (or a “service” provider)
Move all software installation on the gateway Use it as a protocol translator
Our gateway-centric approach
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PCs
TabletsGameConsoles
TV sets
NAS
Take benefits of the VFS abstraction layer A connected device appears as a folder in the tree structure of
the gateway This choice ensures backward compatibility with the existing
applications
The challenge : automate VFS modules installation and setup
Organize a file system view
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An automation software running on the gateway Communication starts via http on user initiative
The home network organizer
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VFS
DJMountDropbox clientGdataFS NFS SMB
Network organizer
HTTP Server http communication
http communication
Gateway
Zero configuration protocol solves the automation problem A Fuse module to map under the VFS other UPNP/DLNA servers
Djmount
Access to UPNP/DLNA devices
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VFS
DJMount
Upnp/Dlna servers… …
… …
Network organizer
HTTP ServerGateway
Experimented Dropbox and GdataFS for Youtube and Picassa Automate the installation and configuration of the modules
Cloud storage systems
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VFS
DJMount …Dropbox clientGdataFS
Network organizer
HTTP Server http communication
Gateway
Collects information via http (user name, type of device, IP…) Creates appropriate folders and associated exports… …on the gateway and on the device via an appropriate script
SMB/NFS devices
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VFS
DJMountDropbox clientGdataFS NFS SMB
Network organizer
HTTP Server http communication
http communication
Gateway
Tree structure
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OtherShares
Serge
Jean
Bob
Gateway view
NetworkShares
DJMount
Dropbox
GdataFS
UsersShares
User (Bob) PC view
OtherNetworks
NetworkShares
Dropbox
DJMount
GdataFS
OtherShares
Jean
Serge
Bob
MyShare
Backward compatibility : distant storage appears as local. Use of previous file manager or media player
Benefits for the applications
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...
VFSDLNA TV
UPNP DLNA Server
Network Organizer
HTTP Server http communication
Gateway
Indexation
DJMountDropbox clientGdataFS NFS SMB
SMB
Local FS
Enhanced navigation
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Enhanced navigation
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Via a UPNP/DLNA media server on top of the VFS Offers any VFS content to a UPNP/DLNA client PS3 Media Server, MiniDlna
Enhanced navigation
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...
VFSDLNA TV
or
miniDlnaNetwork Organizer
HTTP Server http communication
http communication
Gateway
Indexation
DJMountDropbox clientGdataFS NFS SMB
Enhanced navigation
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Enhanced navigation
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Enhanced navigation
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Open source software. Merge indexation and Network Organizer functions
Content indexation : DAM
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VFS
(Indexation + NetworkOrganizer)
HTTP ServerGateway
DAM
DJMountDropbox clientGdataFS NFS SMB
Unique interface : DAM
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Via a web browser Same menu for all devices
Advanced remote control
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...
DLNA TV
Upnp Media Server(Indexation + NetworkOrganizer)
HTTP ServerGateway
DAM Upnp Control PointUPnP Control
http Control Tablet
VFS
DJMountDropbox clientGdataFS NFS SMB
Backup software runs on the gateway Local or distant safe storage.
Home network content backup
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Back Up application
DLNA TV
Upnp Media Server(Indexation + NetworkOrganizer)
HTTP ServerGateway
DAM Upnp Control PointUPnP Control
http Control Tablet
VFSDLNA TV
DJMountDropbox clientGdataFS NFS SMB
High peer availability Cloud/peer to peer/hybrid Home systems may contribute to cloud storage capabilities
New Home storage architecture
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Storage in the Cloud
50 % free space
Unify the content access in the home network heterogeneous environment
Automate the deployment of the Unix VFS Network Organizer running on the gateway Leveraging user experience
Navigation, indexation, remote control, backup
Many open tracks Home storage architecture Data sharing Security …
Conclusion
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Technicolor Innov8 expo, June 21 – 23, 2011, London, UK.
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This study was partially funded by the FIGARO (Future Internet Gateway-based Architecture of Residential networks, FP7-ICT-258378) collaborative project.
Acknoledgement
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Thank you [email protected]
Distributed Storage, Rennes, September 2011
Collects information relative to the new comer Creates appropriates folders and exports on the gateway and
generates an appropriate script for the client…..
SMB/ NFS devices : first Registration (1/2)
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Gateway
Network Organizer
HTTP Server
Lea Client
User information
Make client scriptand build folders
Share_dir
John Client
John_dirLea_dir
HTTPWindows
HTTP Linux
User information
Proposes the appropriate script for execution to the new comer Script, which creates appropriates folders and exports on the client
(new comer) .
SMB/ NFS devices : first Registration (2/2)
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Network Organizer
HTTP Server
Lea Client
Share_dir
John Client
John_dirLea_dir
HTTPWindows
HTTP Linux
MyShares
OtherShares
Launch installationand build folders!
MyShares
OtherShares
Launch installationand build folders!
GatewayDownload client batch Download client script
Each time a user/device joins the home network Activate the prepared mounts/exports
SMB / NFS Devices : then Connection (1/2)
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Gateway
Network Organizer
HTTP Server
Lea Client
Share_dir
John Client
John_dirLea_dir
HTTPWindows
HTTP Linux
MyShares
OtherShares
MyShares
OtherShares
Connect Connect
Export and mount folders
share export
Disconnection (unmount) when leaving the home network An absent device appears as disconnected (regular pings)
SMB / NFS Devices : then Connection (2/2)
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Gateway
Network Organizer
HTTP Server
Lea Client
Share_dir
John Client
John_dir
Lea_dir_disconnected
HTTPWindows
HTTP Linux
MyShares
OtherShares
MyShares
OtherShares
User disconnection requestor cable disconnection
Umount folder andrename it as disconnected
UPNP/DLNA devices
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VFS DLNA TV
DJMount
Upnp Media Server
Dropbox clientGdataFS NFS SMB
(Indexation + NetworkOrganizer)
HTTP ServerGateway
DAM Upnp Control PointUPnP Control
http Control Tablet
Back Up application